Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs University of Virginia-Main Campus
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 5
- Tied
- 9
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 31
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Virginia-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,565 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, University of Virginia-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Virginia-Main Campus's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
45 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Virginia-Main Campus
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,565, roughly $19,707 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 17% 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); Virginia-Main Campus in Social Sciences (13%). 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 Virginia over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick University of Virginia over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $21,565 vs $41,272.
Pick University of Virginia over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 95% 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 Virginia are close on paper, but University of Virginia wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 Virginia is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Virginia 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 Virginia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,565, about $19,707 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of University of Virginia also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $78,828 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Virginia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Virginia graduates report median earnings of $86,863, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Virginia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.28x.
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
University of Virginia graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 29% 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 Virginia 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, Business & Marketing, while University of Virginia leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Humanities. 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 Virginia's $21,565.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,666, against $17,500 at University of Virginia.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment, and University of Virginia is stronger here.
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Virginia's enrollment of 17,597 far exceeds Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's 7,860.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Virginia-Main Campus 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) 5 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 Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, the University of Virginia-Main Campus attracts students who are ready for an academically rigorous environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in a wide range of disciplines, particularly in humanities, social sciences, engineering, business, and computer science. Students here are not just looking for a degree; they’re aiming for a transformative college experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
After graduation, students typically see solid returns on their investment. With a median earning of $86,863 ten years post-graduation, many graduates find themselves in a stable financial position. The affordable net price of $21,565 means that with careful planning and support, students can graduate with manageable debt, averaging around $17,500. This financial outlook is encouraging, especially for those who may worry about student loans impacting their future.
Ultimately, the practical aspects of attending UVA-Main Campus play a crucial role in student success. With a supportive environment, it’s a place where driven students can thrive, particularly those who are proactive about taking advantage of the resources available. This community fosters not just academic excellence but also personal growth, making it a smart choice for those ready to engage deeply in their education.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Virginia-Main Campus is featured on the Colleges With the Biggest Early Decision Advantage ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Virginia-Main Campus leads with Sociology (13%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Virginia-Main Campus
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia-Main Campus).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, while University of Virginia concentrates in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, 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 University of Virginia?
University of Virginia is harder to get into, admitting 17% 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 Virginia?
University of Virginia is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,565 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of Virginia graduates earn more?
University of Virginia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,863 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 Virginia?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or University of Virginia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Virginia 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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