Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Dartmouth Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 18
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Dartmouth College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,519 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Dartmouth College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Dartmouth College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Dartmouth
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,519, roughly $11,753 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Embry-Riddle Aeronautical in Transportation (41%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Dartmouth College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Dartmouth College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $29,519 vs $41,272.
Pick Dartmouth College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 96% completion rate vs 67%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach are close on paper, but Dartmouth College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Dartmouth College is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,257.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Dartmouth College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Dartmouth College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,519, about $11,753 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Dartmouth College also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $47,012 before any change in aid. Choosing Dartmouth College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Dartmouth College graduates report median earnings of $97,434, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Dartmouth College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Dartmouth College graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 29% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Dartmouth College to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach leans toward Transportation, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Dartmouth competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,272 runs well above Dartmouth College's $29,519.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,666, against $17,500 at Dartmouth College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds Dartmouth College's 4,541.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Dartmouth College attracts students who are not only academically gifted but also eager to engage deeply in their studies. The student body, numbering around 4,541, tends to gravitate toward popular fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Biology. This creates a vibrant intellectual community where collaboration and exploration are at the forefront. If you thrive in a competitive environment and are looking for a college experience that emphasizes both rigorous academics and a tight-knit community, Dartmouth might be a good fit for you.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Dartmouth see impressive earnings, averaging $97,434 within ten years of graduating. This financial trajectory speaks volumes about the value of a Dartmouth degree in the job market. Affordability is also a consideration, with a net price of $29,519 after financial aid, making it somewhat accessible for many families. While the Pell Grant rate is relatively low at 14%, those who do receive aid can significantly lessen their financial burden, setting them up for a more secure future.
When it comes to the practicalities, the median debt for graduates is $17,500, which is manageable compared to many institutions. This financial landscape suggests that students who thrive here are often those who are ambitious and ready to engage with both the academic and extracurricular opportunities available. Dartmouth fosters a culture that encourages personal growth and professional success, making it a great place for driven individuals looking to make their mark.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach can expect to earn an average of $84,131 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential makes it a compelling choice for those looking to invest in their future.
The Opportunity Insights data isn't available for Embry-Riddle, but the statistics on graduation and job placement suggest that students have a solid chance of finding success post-graduation. With a graduation rate of 67%, students are likely to complete their degrees and enter the workforce equipped with skills that are in demand.
The net price to attend is $41,272, with a median debt of $23,666. This balance is manageable considering the earning potential graduates enjoy. Students who thrive here are typically those drawn to aviation, engineering, and technical fields, seeking hands-on experience and a pathway to a stable career.
Rankings They Appear On
Dartmouth College is featured on the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Dartmouth's top program is Sociology (24% of enrollment), while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical leads with Supply Chain Management (41%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach concentrates in Transportation, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth College or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Dartmouth College is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,519 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Dartmouth College or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 67%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Dartmouth College if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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