Head-to-Head Comparison
Drexel University vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
- Drexel Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 12
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Drexel University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $38,509 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Drexel University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Drexel University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,648 at ten years.
47 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Drexel
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $84,648 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,509, roughly $2,763 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 78% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,666, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 65% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Drexel graduates concentrate in Health Professions (18% 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 Drexel University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $84,648 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Drexel University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $38,509 vs $41,272.
Pick Drexel University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 78% completion rate vs 67%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Drexel University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach are close on paper, but Drexel University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is the harder admit. It takes 65% of applicants, while Drexel University takes 79%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,345 to 1,257.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach 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, Drexel University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $38,509, about $2,763 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach also borrow less: median debt of $23,666, against $25,325.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $11,052 before any change in aid. Choosing Drexel University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Drexel University graduates report median earnings of $84,648, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.28x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% 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
Drexel University graduates a larger share of its students, 78% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% 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 Drexel University 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. Drexel University concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach leans toward Transportation. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Drexel University's enrollment of 13,233 far exceeds Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's 7,860.
No strong negative signals — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Drexel 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) 3 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With over 13,200 students, Drexel University is a great fit for those seeking a hands-on educational experience, particularly in fields like Engineering, Health Professions, and Business & Marketing. The university's acceptance rate of 79% suggests a welcoming environment, which can be reassuring for students looking for a place where they can thrive academically. Many students appreciate the strong focus on experiential learning, including co-op programs that allow them to gain real-world experience while they study.
After graduation, students from Drexel can expect impressive earning potential, with graduates reporting a median income of $84,648 ten years after completing their degree. This financial outcome is particularly appealing, given how many graduates find themselves in well-paying fields. Affordability is a significant factor too, with a net price of $38,509 after aid, making it accessible for many families. Although the Pell Grant rate sits at 27%, it reflects the university’s commitment to supporting students from diverse financial backgrounds.
When considering the practical aspects, Drexel’s median debt of $25,325 is relatively manageable, especially when balanced against the earning potential. Students who tend to thrive here are often those ready to engage fully in their education, taking advantage of the co-op experiences and networking opportunities available. This proactive approach can really pay off, leading to successful careers and a solid return on investment for their education.
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
Drexel University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Drexel's top program is Nursing (BSN) (18% 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 Drexel) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical).
The two schools feed different job markets. Drexel University is strongest in Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach concentrates in Transportation, 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 Drexel University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is harder to get into, admitting 65% of applicants compared with 79% at Drexel University.
Which is more affordable, Drexel University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Drexel University is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,509 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Drexel University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
Drexel University graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,648 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which has a better graduation rate, Drexel University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Drexel University has the higher graduation rate, 78% versus 67%.
Should you choose Drexel University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Drexel University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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