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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Prescott, AZ · 3,218 students

The verdict

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott charges a net price of $40,287/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $161,148. Graduates earn a median $84,131 ten years after entry, $35,771/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.5 years — a 20-year net return of $554,272, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott's 4.5-year payback ranks #355 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 72% of them, and #3 of 63 in Arizona.

Better ROI than 72% of US colleges#355 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$40,287
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$84,131
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4.5 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
77%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$40,287/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$161,148our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$84,131Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$35,771/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,666Scorecard, 2026
Payback4.5 yrsour math
20-year net return$554,272our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott: frequently asked questions

Is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott charges $40,287/yr after aid ($161,148 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $84,131 ten years out — $35,771/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4.5 years and returns $554,272 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott degree take to pay off?
About 4.5 years. We divide the $161,148 four-year net cost by the $35,771/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $40,287/yr — about $161,148 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott compare to other Arizona colleges?
It ranks #3 of 63 Arizona colleges we track by payback. Its $84,131 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $40,287 net price is above the national median of $16,906.