Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Air Transportation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach accepts 66% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 7,535 in Daytona Beach, FL.

Program Analysis

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Aviation graduates command $66,957/yr out of the gate, well above the $42,988 national median. That 56% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Aviation programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Aviation's career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,750 in median debt clears fast against $66,957 in annual earnings.

At #4 of 10 Aviation programs, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $66,957 to $84,472 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Aviation offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
52
Score
53
High End
Earnings $66,957/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (67% shielded)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$882K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$84,608
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,472
26% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Aviation graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600 +3.9% 65%
Air traffic controllers $144,580 +1.2% 66%
Commercial pilots $122,670 +5.1% 76%
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
$226,600
+3.9% growth 65% AI-proof
Air traffic controllers
$144,580
+1.2% growth 66% AI-proof
Commercial pilots
$122,670
+5.1% growth 76% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Aviation Career Guide

What can you do with a Aviation credential from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Aviation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Aviation Overview

Aviation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's Aviation program score?
At 52/100, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's Aviation program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Median debt of just $18,750 against $66,957/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Aviation?
Beyond Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Aviation careers — including Air Traffic Controller (Military Only). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Aviation graduates?
The large job market (60,400 annual openings) works in favor of Aviation graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →