Admit rate has ranged 66%–75% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott is a specialized powerhouse for aviation and aerospace education, where 77% of applicants get in but only the truly sky-obsessed thrive. With its high-desert campus serving as a launchpad for future pilots and engineers, the school combines rigorous STEM programs with a tight-knit, propeller-head culture where flight sims and drone clubs pass for small talk. Graduates command salaries 50% above the national median—proof that this niche institution delivers serious ROI for those who speak fluent aeronautics.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
3,218
In-state tuition
$44,149
Out-of-state tuition
$44,149
Location
Prescott, AZ (elev. 5,400 ft)
Acceptance Rate
77%
Flight Lab Fees
$8K+/year
4-Year Grad Rate
48%
Freshman Retention
82%
Median Salary (6 yrs)
$65,391
Student-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$84,131
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Median debt at graduation
$23,666
Graduation rate
68%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
64%
Pell (lower-income) share
67%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$27,406
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$65,080
Computer Engineering$62,012
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$61,020
Business Administration, Management and Operations$59,314
Mechanical Engineering$55,964
Air Transportation
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
107
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
12.2"
Annual snow
15.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Prescott, AZ), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
Admitted students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott typically score 1140–1370 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott cost?
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, the average net price (after aid) is about $40,287 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott enrolls approximately 3,218 undergraduate students.
Where is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott located?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott is located in Prescott, AZ.
Admissions
Embry-Riddle Prescott maintains a 77% acceptance rate (3,164 applicants for Fall 2023, with 2,084 accepted and 652 enrolled), making it accessible but self-selecting—only students serious about aviation tend to apply. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1153–1348 on the SAT or 24–29 on the ACT, with particularly strong emphasis on math scores (560-680 SAT Math range). Notably, the university doesn't enforce strict application deadlines, rolling admissions year-round for its flight-focused programs.
Key stats:
- 77% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (consistent over 5 years) - Avg SAT: 1153–1348 - Avg ACT: 24–29 - No rigid application deadline
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$48,833
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$41,937
International Relations and National Security Studies$36,134
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
This is where propeller heads and future astronauts find their tribe. Embry-Riddle Prescott offers hyper-specialized programs like Aeronautical Science (pilot training), Aerospace Engineering, and Air Traffic Management, with curricula so focused that students joke they ‘major in airplanes.’ The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship, especially critical for flight labs and engineering projects.
Life orbits around aviation—literally. The Prescott campus buzzes with 400+ student orgs like the Drone Racing Club and Women in Aviation, while weekends mean impromptu trips to Sedona or flight competitions. The rural Arizona location (elevation 5,400 ft) means stunning sunsets but limited nightlife—though students create their own fun with ‘ramp parties’ near the airfield.
Culture: ‘Nerd-coded’ but outdoorsy—hiking and flight sims coexist.
Housing: 80% live on campus, fostering a tight-knit vibe.
Unique traditions: ‘Prophets of Doom’ aerobatics team performances, ‘Midnight Fly-Ins’ for late-night study breaks at the hangar.
The ROI here is sky-high. Graduates earn $65,391 median salary within six years—50% above national averages—with near-guaranteed industry placement. The 82% freshman retention rate reflects student satisfaction, though the 48% four-year graduation rate hints at the rigor (many take 5+ years due to flight certification requirements).
By the numbers:
- 82% freshman retention (well above national avg) - 48% graduate in 4 years; 73% by year six - 90%+ placement in aviation/aerospace fields
Alumni network: Acts like an ‘air traffic control’ system for jobs—Delta and Boeing recruit heavily.
Sticker shock is real ($41,209 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.), but 91% of students receive aid, averaging $21,437 per package. The aviation premium is baked in—flight labs add $8K+/year, though ROTC scholarships cover these for cadets.
Cost breakdown:
- Avg net price: $38,909 after aid - Flight fees: $8K+/year (not included in tuition) - 90% get institutional grants
Pro tip: Army/AF ROTC programs offer full-ride ‘flight pay’ for cadets.
This is aviation’s answer to MIT—a no-frills incubator where every lab has wings and ‘campus fashion’ means flight suits. The Prescott location offers 300+ flyable days/year, turning the sky into a classroom. Unlike broader universities, here you’ll take ‘Aerospace Psychology’ (how pilots think) alongside calculus. It’s not for the undecided—but if you dream in FAA regulations, there’s nowhere better.
