Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

Date: May 12 2011
Major: Aerospace Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
I was an Aerospace Engineering major, but also took Riddle's flight courses. The Engineering is difficult, as expected. If you are not willing to put in the time and work then pick a different program, you will not succeed in engineering otherwise. For the most part the professors were helpful, but unfortunately there were a few that were either impossible to get in touch with outside of class or were outright arrogant and rude when you had questions. It was very common for me to be the only female in a given class, but the class sizes were relatively small which is a huge plus.

If you want to be a professional pilot then definitely look into Riddle's flight program. If it's a hobby, fly at a different flight school off campus. It's simply too expensive and time consuming if it is not your major of study. This is my only real major regret at this school.

I found the social scene pretty adequate, I was never left without anything to do, but again, I'm a female so it works a lot differently for girls at this school. As far as Daytona Beach, it's really not difficult to find something to do, regardless of your interests. It is a small tourist town so you will have to put up with the annual influx of shenanigans from high school spring breakers and bikers but for the most part, I was never bored.

Overall, if you're serious about your degree field and you research it before attending so you understand the tumultuous aviation job market, you will be fine. However, be prepared to pay. Dearly. I would argue the education and experience is worth it, but you will definitely be paying off these loans for a long, long time. My best friend just finished his engineering masters degree (accelerated 5 year program) here with a few flight courses and is now $200k in student loan debt. This is considered fairly normal.