Air Transportation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach accepts 66% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 7,535 in Daytona Beach, FL.

Program Analysis

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Air Transportation graduates command $66,957/yr out of the gate, well above the $42,988 national median. That 56% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Air Transportation programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Air Transportation's career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,750 in median debt clears fast against $66,957 in annual earnings.

At #4 of 10 Air Transportation programs, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $66,957 to $84,472 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Air Transportation offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
52
Score
53
High End
Earnings $66,957/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (67% shielded)
Job Market Large (60,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$882K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$84,608
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,472
26% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Air Transportation graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers $226,600 +3.9% 65%
Air traffic controllers $144,580 +1.2% 66%
Commercial pilots $122,670 +5.1% 76%
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
$226,600
+3.9% growth 65% AI-proof
Air traffic controllers
$144,580
+1.2% growth 66% AI-proof
Commercial pilots
$122,670
+5.1% growth 76% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Air Transportation Careers

Your career in air transportation could take you directly into the cabin or the cockpit. As a flight attendant, your day is centered on safety and service; you’ll conduct pre-flight briefings, secure the cabin, and act as the first responder for any in-flight medical or security issues. In the cockpit, a pilot’s work involves meticulous pre-flight checks on the aircraft, managing complex avionics, and communicating constantly with air traffic control to navigate safely.

Read the full Air Transportation career guide →

Compare & Explore

Air Transportation Overview

Air Transportation at Other Schools

Other Majors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's Air Transportation program score?
At 52/100, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's Air Transportation program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Air Transportation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
Median debt of just $18,750 against $66,957/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Air Transportation through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Air Transportation occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Air Transportation workers?
The career paths mapped to Air Transportation have roughly 60,400 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →