Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Fast Facts

History and Background

  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the world's oldest, largest, and most prestigious university specializing in aviation and aerospace. It is the only accredited, aviation-oriented university in the world.
  • Embry-Riddle was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 17, 1925, by barnstormer John Paul Riddle and entrepreneur T. Higbee Embry, as the Embry-Riddle Company. The company opened the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation the following spring.
  • Embry-Riddle is an independent, nonsectarian, not-for-profit coeducational university serving culturally diverse students seeking careers in aviation, aerospace, business, engineering, and related fields.
  • Embry-Riddle is a tax-exempt educational institution organized under IRS Sec. 501(c)(3) and Sec. 509(a).

Academics

  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, Telephone: 404-679-4501) to award degrees at the associate, bachelor, and master levels.
  • Embry-Riddle has traditional, residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. Embry-Riddle's Worldwide Campus provides educational opportunities to working adults at more than 130 locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. In addition, degree programs can be pursued via the Internet through Worldwide Online.
  • Embry-Riddle has a $30 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense that maintains the University's long-time status as the sole provider of aviation-related degree programs to the U.S. military in Europe.
  • At the residential campuses, certificate programs in flight (private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, flight instructor, and instrument flight instructor ratings) and flight dispatch are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
  • The University offers more than 30 degree programs. These include undergraduate programs in aeronautical science; aeronautical systems maintenance; aeronautics; aerospace electronics; aerospace engineering; aerospace studies; air traffic management; applied meteorology; aviation business administration; aviation environmental science; aviation maintenance science; aviation management; civil engineering; communication; computer engineering; computer science; electrical engineering; engineering physics; global security and intelligence studies; homeland security; human factors psychology; mechanical engineering; safety science; software engineering; and space physics. Graduate programs are offered in aeronautics, aerospace engineering, aeronautical science, business administration, engineering physics, human factors and systems, management, safety science, and software engineering.
  • The University's fleet of 93 instructional aircraft includes the following models: American Champion Decathlon, Cessna 150, Cessna 172, Cessna 172S, Cessna 182RG, Piper PA28R Arrow, and Piper PA44 Seminole. Embry-Riddle's 42 simulators/flight training devices include the following models: Cessna 172 CPT, Frasca 141, Frasca 142, Frasca 242, Frasca AdvATD, Frasca C172 G1000 Level 6 FTD, Frasca C172 Level 6 FTD, Frasca DA-42 Level 6, Frasca CRJ Level 6 FTD, Frasca PA44 Level 5 FTD, Frasca PA44 Level 6 FTD, Jeppesen FS200AC PCATD, PA44 CPT, and Thales A320 fixed base simulator.
  • Embry-Riddle provides training to Air Force, Air National Guard, and international flight safety officers at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M.
  • Embry-Riddle offers training for aviation maintenance professionals through the Aviation Maintenance Science (AMS) degree program at Daytona Beach. These programs include FAA-approved training for airframe and powerplant mechanic certification and a specialization in avionics line maintenance. FCC certification training is also available through AMS.

Statistics

  • Many types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans, are available to students, with 91% of residential campus students receiving some form of financial aid.
  • Within one year of graduation, 96% of Embry-Riddle graduates are employed or are continuing their education.
  • During the 2006-2007 academic year, 369 students were awarded co-op or intern positions.
  • Combined annual enrollment for all campuses is more than 34,000.
  • Embry-Riddle students come from all 50 states. International students from 86 nations make up 8% of Embry-Riddle's residential campus student population. Seventeen percent of the University's residential campus students are female.
  • The overall undergraduate residential campus student-faculty ratio is 14 to 1, with an average class size of 25.
  • The annual operating budget of Embry-Riddle is approximately $255 million.
  • Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus, one of the largest employers in Volusia County, Florida, has a $290 million annual economic impact on the county.
  • In fiscal year 2006-2007, some 171 faculty members were involved in research and other activities with 151 sponsored projects. The total value of all active awards was more than $27 million.