Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs University of Central Florida
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 8
- Tied
- 13
- Central Florida Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Central Florida offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $10,411 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, University of Central Florida delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Central Florida's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 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, 44% more than University of Central Florida
Central Florida
- Lower cost: Average net price of $10,411, roughly $30,861 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 77% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,190, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 40% 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); Central Florida in Business & Marketing (14%). 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 Central Florida. Median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment vs $58,308.
Pick University of Central Florida over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $10,411 vs $41,272.
Pick University of Central Florida over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 77% 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 Central Florida are close on paper, but University of Central Florida 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 Central Florida is the harder admit. It takes 40% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,269.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Central Florida 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 Central Florida comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $10,411, about $30,861 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of University of Central Florida also borrow less: median debt of $18,190, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $123,444 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Central Florida 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 $58,308 at University of Central Florida. That is a 44% 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 44% 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 Central Florida graduates a larger share of its students, 77% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% 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 Central Florida 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 Central Florida saves about $30,861 a year, yet Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn $25,823 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 University of Central Florida leans toward Health Professions, 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 Central Florida's $10,411.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,666, against $18,190 at University of Central Florida.
- Business and consulting-track students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has less business program depth, and University of Central Florida offers the stronger options.
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Central Florida's enrollment of 59,146 far exceeds Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's 7,860.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Central Florida 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) 4 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.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
With over 59,000 students enrolled, the University of Central Florida is one of the largest public universities in the nation. This scale translates into a rich diversity of academic programs and campus life, making it a vibrant community for students seeking both education and social engagement.
Data from Opportunity Insights shows that UCF graduates see a median earnings increase to $58,308 ten years after enrolling. This reflects a solid return on investment, especially when considering the university’s net price of $10,411 and median debt of $18,190. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university serves a significant number of Pell Grant recipients, indicating a commitment to supporting low-income students.
Students who thrive at UCF often pursue degrees in popular fields like Business, Health Professions, and Engineering. The moderate acceptance rate of 40% suggests that the university seeks students who show potential for success. With a graduation rate of 77%, many students are able to complete their degrees and enter the workforce prepared and skilled.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Central Florida is featured on the Best Education Colleges in Florida ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Central Florida leads with Business Administration (14%).
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 Central Florida).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Engineering, Criminal Justice, while University of Central Florida concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts. 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 Central Florida?
University of Central Florida is harder to get into, admitting 40% 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 Central Florida?
University of Central Florida is more affordable, with an average net price of $10,411 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of Central Florida graduates earn more?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,131 ten years after enrollment, versus $58,308 at University of Central Florida.
Which has a better graduation rate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of Central Florida?
University of Central Florida has the higher graduation rate, 77% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of Central Florida?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Central Florida 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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