Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Pepperdine University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 15
- Pepperdine Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Pepperdine University achieves a higher graduation rate (84% vs 67%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $58,098 compared to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Students who choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,131 at ten years.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Pepperdine University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,272, roughly $16,826 a year less
Pepperdine
- Higher grad rate: 84% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,510, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical graduates concentrate in Transportation (41% of degrees); Pepperdine in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach over Pepperdine University. Median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment vs $82,939.
Pick Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach over Pepperdine University. Net price $41,272 vs $58,098.
Pick Pepperdine University over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 84% 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 Pepperdine University are close on paper, but Pepperdine 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
Pepperdine University is the harder admit. It takes 63% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,384.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Pepperdine University 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, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,272, about $16,826 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Pepperdine University also borrow less: median debt of $23,510, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $67,304 before any change in aid. Choosing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates report median earnings of $84,131, compared with $82,939 at Pepperdine University. That is a 1% advantage.
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
Pepperdine University graduates a larger share of its students, 84% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 17% 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach 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, Engineering, while Pepperdine University leans toward Communications, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has less business program depth, and Pepperdine University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds Pepperdine University's 3,553.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $58,098 runs well above Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272.
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Pepperdine 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
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.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at Pepperdine University can expect to earn an average of $82,939 a decade after graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's emphasis on high-demand fields such as Business, Communications, and Psychology. With a graduation rate of 84%, many students successfully complete their degrees and enter the workforce with solid earning prospects.
The Opportunity Insights data for Pepperdine is limited, but the university's environment supports upward mobility. The 20% Pell Grant rate indicates that a portion of students comes from low-income backgrounds. While specific mobility rates are not available, graduates typically enter fields that contribute positively to economic advancement.
Financial considerations are crucial for prospective students. The net price of attending Pepperdine stands at $58,098, while the median debt for graduates is $23,510. Students who thrive here tend to be driven, particularly in fields like Business and the Arts, where creativity and leadership skills are essential.
Rankings They Appear On
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Criminal Justice ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Pepperdine leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Engineering, Criminal Justice, while Pepperdine University concentrates in Communications, Social Sciences, Psychology. 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University is harder to get into, admitting 63% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Pepperdine University?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,272 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Pepperdine University graduates earn more?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,939 at Pepperdine University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Pepperdine University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Pepperdine University 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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