Admit rate has ranged 58%–70% 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-Worldwide is the sprawling, online-centric arm of the aviation and aerospace education powerhouse, built for working professionals and military personnel already embedded in the industry. It trades the traditional campus quad for a virtual classroom, offering a laser-focused curriculum in aviation, engineering, and technology to a student body that is often juggling full-time jobs and family obligations. This is not a place for a typical college experience, but a direct pipeline for career advancement in a high-stakes, specialized field.
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)
Demonstrated competencies
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
9,139
In-state tuition
$12,097
Out-of-state tuition
$12,097
Graduation Rate
21%
Early Decision Plan
Not offered
First-Year Retention
60%
Demonstrated Interest
Not considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$84,131
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$84,131
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.5×
Median debt at graduation
$23,666
Graduation rate
21%
First-year retention
60%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
64%
Pell (lower-income) share
26%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
36%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$65,080
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians$64,087
Business Administration, Management and Operations$59,314
Air Transportation$48,833
Homeland Security$40,667
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.
Compare on earnings:
Applicants here also applied to
The schools that most often appear alongside Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide on applicants’ lists, from our self-reported outcomes corpus.
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
137
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
55°F
Annual rain
56.2"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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-Worldwide?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide's acceptance rate is approximately 58% (Daytona Beach, FL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide?
Admitted students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide typically score 1040–1240 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-Worldwide cost?
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,725 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide enrolls approximately 9,139 undergraduate students.
Where is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide located?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide is located in Daytona Beach, FL.
Admissions
Admissions at the Worldwide Campus are designed for accessibility, reflecting its mission to serve working adults and military personnel. The process is moderately selective, with a focus on practical readiness over ultra-competitive metrics. Standardized tests are not a gatekeeper; the university explicitly states that the SAT or ACT is not required for freshman admission, removing a significant barrier for non-traditional students returning to education. The admissions office evaluates a range of factors, but notably, demonstrated interest is not considered in their first-year, first-time admission decisions, as confirmed by the . This aligns with the pragmatic, no-frills approach of an online institution catering to professionals who may not have the time for campus visits or extensive correspondence. The rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—is reported at 51.83%, which is significantly higher than the average for schools with similar , suggesting that those who are admitted are highly motivated and see a clear, immediate value in the programs. The university does not offer an early decision plan, further emphasizing its flexible, rolling-admissions style suited to adult learners.
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.
Co-application frequency from self-reported results — directional peer discovery, not a recommendation.
Academics
The academic identity of Embry-Riddle Worldwide is singular and unapologetically niche: it is a university built for the sky and the systems that operate within it. The curriculum is a comprehensive collection of programs focused on aviation, business, computers and technology, engineering, and security. Students don't come here to find themselves through a liberal arts exploration; they come to gain specific, applicable credentials in a high-tech industry. The university offers over 90 degree programs, with the most popular majors overwhelmingly clustered in its core competencies: Aeronautics and Aviation Technology, Aircraft Maintenance, Business, and Aerospace Engineering. This is hands-on, career-oriented education delivered through an online format, designed for the student who might be an air traffic controller by day and a student by night. The pedagogy is described as hands-on, engaging and designed for the future, leveraging technology to simulate and teach complex aerospace concepts. While the online format provides flexibility, the academic rigor is tied directly to industry standards and needs, with program-level achievement data publicly reported for accountability.
Defining 'student life' at Embry-Riddle Worldwide requires a fundamental rethinking of the term. There is no central residential campus in Daytona Beach to explore; the student experience is almost entirely virtual and self-directed. The community is built around shared professional goals rather than shared dormitories. The university facilitates connection through over 400 student organizations that span academic disciplines, cultural communities, and professional development interests, though participation is naturally opt-in and remote. The typical student profile is that of a driven Worldwide Campus Aeronautics student balancing full-time work, online classes and campus involvement. Social life is what students make of it through online forums, group projects, and professional networks. The institution provides a framework for engagement and expects students to adhere to a shared Student Code of Conduct that emphasizes responsibility and shaping a positive culture, even in a digital space. The vibe is less about weekend football games and more about networking with a classmate who might be a pilot for a major airline or an engineer at a defense contractor. For the right student—a self-starter deeply passionate about aerospace—this can foster a powerful sense of belonging to an exclusive professional tribe.
The outcomes narrative for Embry-Riddle Worldwide is a tale of two starkly different data points, reflecting the unique nature of its student body. On one hand, the graduation rate is low, reported at just 22% (which places it in the bottom 5% of institutions), a figure that is typical for online institutions serving a high proportion of non-traditional, working students who often pause or extend their studies due to career and family demands. Persistence is a challenge in this model. However, the payoff for those who persist is substantial. The university boasts that its graduates see high dividends, having topped lists for highest-earning graduates in Florida and Arizona. The median earnings ten years after entry are strong, indicating that the specialized degrees hold significant value in the marketplace. Early career earnings for graduates are also reported to be better than average. This creates a clear value proposition: the path may be longer and less linear, with many students not finishing within traditional timelines, but the destination—a well-compensated career in a targeted industry—is reliably achieved by those who complete their degrees. The outcomes are less about the traditional four-year sprint to a diploma and more about the long-term career trajectory acceleration the education provides.
As an online institution, Embry-Riddle Worldwide's cost structure differs from its residential counterparts, but it still represents a significant investment. The university provides tools like a Net Price Calculator to help prospective students estimate their actual cost after scholarships and grants. Financial aid is available and includes a breakdown of different types of aid... including grants, loans and other funding sources. One source reports the average aid package at $4,925. However, it is important to note that the available sources do not indicate that Embry-Riddle Worldwide has a "no-loan" policy or that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students. The financial aid approach appears to be a standard mix of grants, scholarships, and loans, which students are guided to evaluate. For those who determine they need additional funding, the university provides resources to help find lenders and loans that meet your needs. The value calculation for students is therefore heavily weighted against the potential salary outcomes, with many students likely viewing the cost as a direct investment in career advancement and higher earning potential.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide stands out because it is arguably the most focused and pragmatic institution in American higher education. It has no identity crisis; it exists for one purpose: to advance careers in aviation, aerospace, and related technologies. It rejects the traditional residential college model entirely, instead building a global, virtual community of professionals, active-duty military, and career-changers. This creates its defining characteristic: a student body united not by geography or age, but by a shared, often obsessive, passion for flight and engineering. The trade-offs are clear. You sacrifice the classic campus experience, the broad liberal arts exploration, and the high graduation rates of a residential college. In return, you gain unparalleled flexibility, direct industry relevance, and a network plugged directly into the cockpits, control towers, and engineering labs of the aerospace world. It's not a substitute for a traditional university—it's a parallel track for those whose careers are already airborne and who need an education that can keep pace.
