Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 5
- Tied
- 16
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 31
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $12,116 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Georgia Technology-Main
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $29,156 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,672, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical graduates concentrate in Transportation (41% of degrees); Georgia Technology-Main in Engineering (42%). 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 Georgia Institute of Technology over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $12,116 vs $41,272.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 93% completion rate vs 67%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach and Georgia Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Georgia Institute of Technology 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
Georgia Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgia Institute of Technology 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, Georgia Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,116, about $29,156 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Georgia Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $21,672, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $116,624 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgia Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $102,772, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgia Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% 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
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 26% 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 Georgia Institute of Technology 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. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach concentrates enrollment in Transportation, while Georgia Institute of Technology leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,272 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's 7,860.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main 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) 4 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
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.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology has an impressive graduation rate of 93%, showcasing its commitment to student success. This high rate indicates that most students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, a critical factor for anyone considering their future at this institution.
Graduates from Georgia Tech see significant financial returns, earning a median salary of $102,772 a decade after finishing their degrees. This strong earning potential underscores the effectiveness of the education provided, particularly in high-demand fields like engineering and computer science. The school plays an important role in enhancing economic mobility, although specific rates for low-income students are not available.
With a net price of $12,116 and a median debt of $21,672, Georgia Tech presents a financially manageable option for many students. Those who thrive here are typically driven, with a focus on STEM fields, and come from diverse backgrounds. The competitive acceptance rate of 14% reflects the school's selectivity, attracting students who are ready to engage in rigorous academic challenges.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is featured on the Best Public Universities ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Georgia Technology-Main leads with Mechanical Engineering (42%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Georgia Technology-Main
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Georgia Technology-Main).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Criminal Justice, while Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. 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.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which has a better graduation rate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Georgia Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology 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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