Head-to-head comparison
University of Central Florida vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach: which has better ROI?
Option A Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida
- Net price / year
- $10,411
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,308
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
Option B Daytona Beach, FL
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Net price / year
- $41,272
- Earnings, 10 years
- $84,131
- Payback
- 4.6 yrs
University of Central Florida has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,644 in 4.2 years versus 4.6 years at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, on median earnings of $58,308 vs $84,131 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Central Florida | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,411 | $41,272 |
| Total net cost | $41,644 | $165,088 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,308 | $84,131 |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $23,666 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $157,316 | $550,332 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Central Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
University of Central Florida, at $10,411 a year after aid versus $41,272 — a gap of $30,861 a year, or $123,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Central Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates report a median $84,131 ten years after entry, $25,823 more than the $58,308 at University of Central Florida. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Central Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
University of Central Florida: its completers carry a median $18,190 in federal loans versus $23,666 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, a difference of $5,476. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at University of Central Florida, against 67% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.