Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs University of California-Los Angeles
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 9
- Tied
- 9
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $12,548 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, University of California-Los Angeles delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-Los Angeles's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
42 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, 2% more than University of California-Los Angeles
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $28,724 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 9% 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); California-Los Angeles in Social Sciences (25%). 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 University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $12,548 vs $41,272.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 93% 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 University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but University of California-Los Angeles 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
University of California-Los Angeles is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of California-Los Angeles 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, University of California-Los Angeles comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,548, about $28,724 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $114,896 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-Los Angeles 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 $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Los Angeles has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% 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
University of California-Los Angeles graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 26% 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 University of California-Los Angeles to keep costs and debt down; pick Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach 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. University of California-Los Angeles saves about $28,724 a year, yet Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn $1,620 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, Business & Marketing, while University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. 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 University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,666, against $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles.
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 far exceeds Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's 7,860.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
California-Los Angeles 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) 2 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.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
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 California-Los Angeles leads with Sociology (25%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
California-Los Angeles
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 California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, while University of California-Los Angeles 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.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,548 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of California-Los Angeles?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Los Angeles if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach 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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