Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 8
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,689 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,881 at ten years.
41 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
- More selective: Admits 65% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Saint Joseph's
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,689, roughly $11,583 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 79% 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); Saint Joseph's in Business & Marketing (39%). 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $29,689 vs $41,272.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 79% 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia are close on paper, but Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,258.
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, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,689, about $11,583 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 $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $46,332 before any change in aid. Choosing Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates report median earnings of $86,881, 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 0.29x.
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
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates a larger share of its students, 79% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leans toward Health Professions, 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689.
- Business and consulting-track students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has less business program depth, and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's 4,948.
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 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.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.
Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.
In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 Saint Joseph's leads with Business Administration (39%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Engineering, Criminal Justice, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates in Health Professions, 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.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is harder to get into, admitting 65% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,689 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,881 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia has the higher graduation rate, 79% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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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