Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 9
- Tied
- 19
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $36,228 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $102,051 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,666, the lower of the two
Rensselaer Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $36,228, roughly $5,044 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical graduates concentrate in Transportation (41% of degrees); Rensselaer Polytechnic 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $36,228 vs $41,272.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 83% 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are close on paper, but Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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 1,456.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $36,228, about $5,044 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 $23,750.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $20,176 before any change in aid. Choosing Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $102,051, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates a larger share of its students, 83% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 16% 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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, Business & Marketing, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute leans toward Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's $36,228.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
No strong negative signals — Rensselaer Polytechnic competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Rensselaer Polytechnic 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
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.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 5,700 students, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, is a great fit for those looking to dive deep into STEM fields. With programs in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Mathematics, it attracts students who are serious about blending technical skills with practical applications. The acceptance rate of 63% means there's room for a diverse range of applicants, making it accessible without compromising on the quality of education.
After graduation, Rensselaer alumni can expect solid financial outcomes. With a ten-year earnings average of $102,051, students typically see a significant return on their investment in education. That’s a strong indicator of how well graduates navigate the workforce, especially in fields like engineering and tech, which are in high demand. This financial success is paired with a net price of $36,228 after aid, making it a reasonable choice for those who are willing to invest in their future.
When it comes to affordability, the median debt for graduates is $23,750, which is quite manageable given the earning potential. The 20% Pell Grant rate suggests that there's support for low-income students, but the school also attracts a mix of others who thrive on the collaborative and rigorous environment. If you're motivated, willing to engage deeply with your studies, and interested in a strong career trajectory, Rensselaer could be a great match for you.
Rankings They Appear On
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is featured on the Best Computer Science Colleges in New York ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Rensselaer Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (42%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Rensselaer Polytechnic
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 Rensselaer Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics. 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is more affordable, with an average net price of $36,228 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,051 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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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