Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Providence College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
Providence College
Providence, RI
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 15
- Providence Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Providence College achieves a higher graduation rate (87% vs 67%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $48,523 compared to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,272, roughly $7,251 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,666, the lower of the two
Providence
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 51% 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); Providence in Business & Marketing (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 Providence College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $87,054 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach over Providence College. Net price $41,272 vs $48,523.
Pick Providence College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 87% 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 Providence College are close on paper, but Providence College 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
Providence College is the harder admit. It takes 51% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,346.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Providence 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, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,272, about $7,251 a year below Providence College's $48,523. Graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach also borrow less: median debt of $23,666, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $29,004 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, Providence College graduates report median earnings of $87,054, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.28x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Providence College graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 20% 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; pick Providence College for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach saves about $7,251 a year, yet Providence College graduates earn $2,923 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach concentrates enrollment in Transportation, Engineering, while Providence College leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. 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 Providence College offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds Providence College's 4,229.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,523 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
Providence 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
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.
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 4,200 students, Providence College is a great fit for those looking for a close-knit community while still enjoying the resources of a larger institution. The college’s emphasis on programs like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Biology & Biomedical sets a clear academic direction for students. The 51% acceptance rate indicates that while it's selective, there are plenty of opportunities for students who are passionate about their fields.
Looking ahead, the average earnings for graduates after ten years is around $87,054. That’s a solid number that reflects the value of a degree from this institution. Graduates are likely to see upward mobility in their careers, which is a significant consideration when choosing a school. The fact that 87% of students graduate suggests a supportive environment that helps students stay on track and achieve their goals.
Financially, the net price after aid stands at $48,523, and the median debt for graduates is $27,000. This debt load is manageable compared to the earning potential, making it a reasonable investment in education. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are engaged in their studies and take advantage of the community support available. Overall, Providence College presents a compelling option for students focused on both academic and career success.
Rankings They Appear On
Providence College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Education ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Providence leads with Business Administration (42%).
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 Providence).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Engineering, Criminal Justice, while Providence College concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, 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 Providence College?
Providence College is harder to get into, admitting 51% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Providence College?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,272 after aid versus $48,523 at Providence College.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Providence College graduates earn more?
Providence College graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,054 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 Providence College?
Providence College has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Providence College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Providence College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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