Head-to-Head Comparison
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach vs Washington University in St Louis
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 8
- Tied
- 18
- Washington St Wins
- 28
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,786 vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, Washington University in St Louis delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Washington University in St Louis's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 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.
Washington St
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $19,486 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 94% 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 12% 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); Washington St in Engineering (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 Washington University in St Louis over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $21,786 vs $41,272.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 94% 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 Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Washington University in St Louis 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
Washington University in St Louis is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,257 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington University in St Louis 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, Washington University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $19,486 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $23,666.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $77,944 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182, compared with $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x 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
Washington University in St Louis graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 27% 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 Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington University in St Louis leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences. 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 Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,666, against $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis.
No strong negative signals — Washington St competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St 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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington University in St Louis is featured on the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical's top program is Supply Chain Management (41% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
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 Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is strongest in Transportation, Criminal Justice, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,182 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 Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 67%.
Should you choose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis 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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