Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States · Est. 1926 · Private University

The nation's largest accredited aviation and aerospace university, with residential campuses in Florida and Arizona plus extensive online programs.

  • Founded 1926 in Cincinnati; moved to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1965
  • Private nonprofit university; 32,103 students across all campuses (2023–24)
  • Two residential campuses: Daytona Beach (6,740 undergrads, 781 grads) and Prescott, Arizona (~2,000 students)
  • Specializes in aviation, aerospace, engineering, and related fields with FAA and ABET accreditation
  • Operates 130+ learning locations worldwide including military bases; 22,000+ online students
  • Largest Air Force ROTC program in the nation; produces more USAF officers than any institution except the Air Force Academy

Academics

Embry–Riddle is accredited by SACS to award associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's aviation programs—including aviation maintenance, air traffic management, aeronautical science, and aerospace—are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and certified by the FAA. All engineering programs hold ABET accreditation, and business programs are accredited by ACBSP. The Daytona Beach campus offers 52 majors and is home to one of the largest undergraduate aerospace engineering physics programs in the country. Prescott offers 19 bachelor's and two master's degrees, including the unique Global Security and Intelligence Studies program.

Campus & Student Life

The Daytona Beach campus (185 acres) sits adjacent to Daytona Beach International Airport with direct access to university-owned aircraft ramps for flight training. The fleet includes 88 Cessna Skyhawks and 14 Diamond DA42-VI aircraft. Prescott (539 acres, 100 miles north of Phoenix) features advanced facilities including wind tunnels, an aerospace fabrication building, and an aviation safety center. Both campuses require first-year students to live on campus. Athletics compete at NCAA Division II (Daytona Beach) and NAIA (Prescott) levels, with the Eagles fielding 22 varsity sports at Daytona Beach and 14 at Prescott.

Admissions

The university accepts undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and international students. Pathways include First Time Students, High School Graduates, Returning Students, and Transfer Students for undergraduate admission, with separate graduate tracks for first-time, transfer, and doctoral applicants. International students have dedicated admissions support and language institute options. The official website provides net price calculators, financial aid FAQs, and detailed cost estimates for each campus.

Outcomes & Recognition

U.S. News & World Report ranked ERAU 4th among Regional Universities South (2026) and 1st in Best Online Bachelor's Programs (2016). The university ranks 8th nationally in Best Undergraduate Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Programs and 4th in aerospace at doctorate-granting institutions. Forbes ranked it 294th among Top Colleges (2018). ERAU's Prescott Golden Eagles Flight Team has won 13 national championships and holds a 31-year regional championship streak. The university is designated a space-grant institution and manages the FAA NextGen Florida Test Bed for aviation research.

Founded
1926
Type
Private University
Courses
15
Total intake
Not yet verified
Websitehttp://erau.edu
HousingAvailable
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
15
Avg career outcomes
Not yet verified
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
Yes
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources