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University of North Florida vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach: which has better ROI?

Public, Jacksonville FL · vs · Private nonprofit, Daytona Beach FL

The verdict

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $165,088 in 4.6 years versus 5.1 years at University of North Florida, on median earnings of $84,131 vs $56,343 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North FloridaEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Net price / yr$10,154$41,272
Total net cost$40,616$165,088
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,343$84,131
Median debt$15,531$23,666
Payback5.1 yrs4.6 yrs
20-year net return$119,044$550,332

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of North Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?

University of North Florida, at $10,154 a year after aid versus $41,272 — a gap of $31,118 a year, or $124,472 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of North 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, $27,788 more than the $56,343 at University of North 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.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of North Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?

University of North Florida: its completers carry a median $15,531 in federal loans versus $23,666 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, a difference of $8,135. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at University of North 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.

University of North Florida vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach a better value?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. It clears its $165,088 net cost in about 4.6 years versus 5.1 years at University of North Florida, on median earnings of $84,131 vs $56,343 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
University of North Florida: $10,154/yr net price after aid versus $41,272/yr at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach — a difference of $31,118 a year, or about $124,472 over four years.
Do University of North Florida or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn a median $84,131 ten years after entry, versus $56,343 at University of North Florida — a $27,788 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.