2026 data College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Open-data reference.

We found 10 schools structurally similar to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott that cost less. 10 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Prescott, Arizona · Private Nonprofit

$40,287
Net Price
$84,131
Median Earnings (10yr)
76.6%
Acceptance Rate
68.8%
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott posts an average net price of $40,287 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 10 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $34,113, achieved by United States Merchant Marine Academy at $6,174. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 10 of the 10 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott’s $84,131, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $96,113.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

10
Alternatives Found
$34,113
Max Savings
10
Better Value Options
53%
Best Match

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Top 5 1. Kettering University $95k 2. MCPHS University $126k 3. Lafayette College $91k 4. Chamberlain University-Nevad $92k 5. Chamberlain University-Texas $92k Compared to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott: $84k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,660 -$5,627 $94,823 70.7% 53%
MCPHS University
Boston, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$39,545 -$742 $125,557 62.7% 48%
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,433 -$5,854 $91,410 87.8% 47%
Chamberlain University-Nevada
Las Vegas, NV · Private For-Profit Better Value
$27,073 -$13,214 $92,405 N/A 45%
Chamberlain University-Texas
Houston, TX · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,209 -$8,078 $92,405 N/A 43%
California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA · Public Better Value
$20,555 -$19,732 $94,784 63.3% 42%
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,832 -$5,455 $90,779 83.3% 42%
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY · Public Better Value
$6,174 -$34,113 $90,610 81.5% 42%
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY · Public Better Value
$22,367 -$17,920 $95,951 69.5% 41%
Chamberlain University-California
Rancho Cordova, CA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$36,559 -$3,728 $92,405 N/A 41%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
We found 10 schools similar to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott that cost less. The closest match is Kettering University with 53% similarity and a net price of $34,660.
What is the ROI of attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott has an average net price of $40,287. Graduates earn a median of $84,131 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 2.1x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott for less money?
Yes — 10 of 10 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Kettering University costs $34,660 (saving $5,627) with median earnings of $94,823.
What is the cheapest alternative to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott?
The most affordable similar school is United States Merchant Marine Academy at $6,174, saving $34,113 compared to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott. It has a 42% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 10 alternatives have an average median earnings of $96,113 compared to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott's $84,131. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary — check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.