Mechanical Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Embry-Riddle's aerospace focus translates into above-average outcomes for mechanical engineering graduates, who earn $73,433 in their first year—about $5,000 more than the typical Florida ME grad and solidly above the national median. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida's 16 mechanical engineering programs, trailing only UF and FIU among major state universities but ahead of established names like USF and Florida Tech.

The debt picture is exceptionally favorable. At $27,000, graduates carry just slightly more than the national median but substantially more than Florida's typical $20,888—yet this is still highly manageable given first-year earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means graduates owe less than five months of salary, well below concerning thresholds. That this debt ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more debt) makes it even more attractive.

Earnings grow modestly to $77,804 by year four, a 6% increase that's solid if unspectacular. For a school known primarily for aviation, the mechanical engineering program punches above its weight—you're paying for specialized aerospace connections without the debt burden that often comes with private institutions. Given the manageable borrowing and strong launch earnings, this represents a straightforward path into mechanical engineering with less financial stress than most alternatives.