Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs University of San Francisco
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 19
- San Francisco Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of San Francisco achieves a higher graduation rate (71% vs 67%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,431 compared to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Students who choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,131 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,272, roughly $159 a year less
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Higher grad rate: 71% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 62% 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); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach over University of San Francisco. Net price $41,272 vs $41,431.
Pick University of San Francisco over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 71% 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 San Francisco are close on paper, but University of San Francisco 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 San Francisco is the harder admit. It takes 62% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of San Francisco 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, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,272, about $159 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $636 before any change in aid. Choosing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of San Francisco has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% 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 San Francisco graduates a larger share of its students, 71% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco 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. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach saves about $159 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $5,681 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 San Francisco leans toward Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds University of San Francisco's 5,287.
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
San Francisco 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.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
University of San Francisco is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in California ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
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 San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Engineering, Criminal Justice, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, Social Sciences. 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 San Francisco?
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, admitting 62% 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 San Francisco?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,272 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 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 University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco has the higher graduation rate, 71% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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