Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Union College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 8
- Union Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Union College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $34,561 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Union College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Union College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $88,604 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
Union
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,561, roughly $6,711 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 44% 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); Union in Social Sciences (21%). 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 Union College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Union College over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $34,561 vs $41,272.
Pick Union College 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 Union College are close on paper, but Union College 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
Union College is the harder admit. It takes 44% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Union 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, Union College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,561, about $6,711 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 $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $26,844 before any change in aid. Choosing Union College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Union College graduates report median earnings of $88,604, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 5% 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 5% 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
Union College 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 Union College 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 Union College leans toward Social Sciences, 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 Union College's $34,561.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
No strong negative signals — Union competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Union 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) 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.
Union College
Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofit
Union College is a solid choice for students interested in a diverse range of studies, particularly in social sciences, engineering, biology, and psychology. With an enrollment of about 2,046 students and an acceptance rate of 44%, it strikes a balance between being accessible and maintaining a close-knit community. The graduation rate of 83% reflects a supportive environment where students tend to thrive and complete their degrees.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, students from Union College can expect a median earning of $88,604 within ten years of finishing their degree. This level of earning power suggests that graduates are well-prepared for the job market, with many finding roles that allow them to grow both personally and professionally. The affordability factor also plays a role in this, as financial burdens are important to consider when thinking about long-term success.
The financial bottom line shows a net price of $34,561 after aid, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. With a median debt of $25,337, students can graduate with a reasonable financial outlook, especially relative to their earning potential. Those who tend to thrive at Union are likely to be motivated, engaged, and ready to take on the academic rigor of the programs offered, all while enjoying the vibrant community atmosphere in Schenectady.
Rankings They Appear On
Union College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Union leads with Sociology (21%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, while Union College concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Humanities. 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 Union College?
Union College is harder to get into, admitting 44% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Union College?
Union College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,561 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Union College graduates earn more?
Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 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 Union College?
Union College has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Union College 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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