Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Name

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Legal name

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Website

https://erau.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private nonprofit higher education institution specializing in aviation and aerospace, operating residential campuses in Daytona Beach and Prescott, a Singapore Asia Campus, and a Worldwide/Online campus serving more than 11,000 undergraduates and 165,000 alumni globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Aviation and Aerospace)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC), Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC), Military Graduate & Postgraduate Institutions (STEM/Defense Research) (EDAHAOAE), Quantum Education & Certification Programs (HDAGALAA)

Keywords

• Aviation higher education
• Aerospace engineering degrees
• Pilot training programs
• Space operations education
• Uncrewed systems studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Daytona Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Educational Programs: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Prescott, Asia Campus, and Worldwide/Online programs
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Federal and state funding from agencies including NASA, Department of Energy (ARPA-E), Office of Naval Research, National Science Foundation, and FAA for research activities
3. Philanthropic Donations: Centennial campaign targeting $300 million by 2030, including $20 million gift from Hosseini family and endowed chairs from Kenn and Pamela Ricci family

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University delivers higher-education degree programs (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) in aviation, aerospace engineering, pilot training, air traffic management, space operations, uncrewed systems, cybersecurity, and business. Instruction is delivered across two U.S. residential campuses (Daytona Beach, FL; Prescott, AZ), an Asia Campus in Singapore, and a Worldwide/Online Campus, supplemented by a flight training fleet of 174 aircraft, advanced simulators, and specialized research laboratories.

Product overview

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of aviation and aerospace academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The university operates multiple campuses (Daytona Beach, Prescott, Worldwide/Online, Asia) and provides degree programs in Aeronautical Science, Aviation Maintenance, Air Traffic Management, Space Operations, Uncrewed Systems, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Safety. The institution supplements academic education with specialized training facilities including a flight training fleet (174 aircraft), flight simulators, the Florida Test Bed research center, the Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety, the SPACE Laboratory for space physiology research, and the ERUPT uncrewed maritime simulation platform. Research capabilities include the OrbitWhisperer AI satellite cybersecurity framework and various specialized labs. Professional education offerings include UAS certification programs and aviation English training. The university also operates a Research Park housing industry partners including AURA AERO and the Center for Aerospace Technology II.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MicaPlex: Research park facility at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus, housing technology companies and startup incubators.
• David L. & S. Harry Robertson Flight Simulation Center
• Florida Test Bed
• SPACE Laboratory (Space Physiology Antibody and Cellular Engineering)
• QubitPulseOpt
• OrbitWhisperer
• ERUPT

Products and services

• Aeronautical Science Programs Bachelor's degree programs in Aeronautical Science (Flight, Aeronautics, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) with embedded flight training, simulation, and airline cadet partnerships; for students pursuing aviation careers.
• Aviation Maintenance Science Programs Associate and bachelor's degree programs preparing students for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification with hands-on technical training in aircraft inspection, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Air Traffic Management Programs Associate and bachelor's degree programs in airspace coordination covering navigation, communication, and radar technologies with access to the Florida Test Bed facility near Daytona Beach International Airport.
• Space Operations Programs Bachelor's and master's programs in orbital mechanics, mission design, and space systems management preparing students for government, commercial, and research space mission operations.
• Uncrewed Systems Programs Master's program in Uncrewed Systems covering autonomy, human-machine teaming, and system design for aviation, defense, and research environments.
• Engineering Programs ABET-accredited engineering programs including Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Engineering Physics with space science emphasis.
• Cybersecurity Programs Programs in Cyber Intelligence and Security, Global Security and Intelligence Studies, and Homeland Security and Intelligence covering threat analysis, risk management, and strategic planning.
• Aviation and Aerospace Safety Programs Bachelor's program focused on preventing accidents and improving operational safety across flight and space environments, covering human factors, risk management, and investigation techniques.
• UAS Professional Education Certificate Programs UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) certificate programs covering FAA exam preparation, hands-on flight training, and specialized tracks in thermography, inspections, and agriculture applications.
• K-12 Aerospace Summer Programs Immersive summer programs for high school students at the Prescott Campus covering aerospace, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and aviation; offered through direct enrollment.
• Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Air traffic controller training pathway delivered through the FAA partnership, enabling graduates to enter controller training directly via the Florida Test Bed near Daytona Beach International Airport.
• Aviation English Language Training and Rater Certification Aviation English training and rater certification courses supporting ICAO language proficiency requirements, delivered to international airlines and aviation organizations through the Worldwide Campus.
• Flight Training Services Flight training services using a university fleet of 174 aircraft (including Cessna 172 Skyhawk and CubCrafters NX Cub) and FRASCA full-motion simulators at the Robertson Flight Simulation Center; integrated into degree programs and offered for FAA certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #1 for highest-earning graduates in both Arizona and Florida according to Business Insider analysis of College Scorecard data
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability20 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and strategic.

• Mission ShakthiSATminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026All-girls satellite mission led by Space Kidz India with participation from 108 nations. Embry-Riddle collaborating on Phase 2 with Macquarie University and Egyptian Space Agency. Plans to build two satellites for October 2026 launch from ISRO's Sriharikota facility.
• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026Co-hosted inaugural Florida Advanced Air Mobility Symposium bringing together 300+ researchers, policymakers, and aviation innovators. Event featured live flight demonstrations and established ongoing collaboration to position Florida as first state with commercial AAM operations.
• Florida Space Research Consortium (FSRC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Embry-Riddle joined 7 other universities in launching next phase of statewide partnership aligning Florida universities around space research, innovation, and workforce development. Consortium represents 300,000+ students and $3 billion in annual research activity.
• Navi AIstrategicTechnology or Integration · 25 March 2026San Francisco-based AI startup deployed its pilot training platform at Embry-Riddle. Platform analyzes flight data, cockpit audio, and environmental sources to generate real-time insights and improve training outcomes. Embry-Riddle among first institutions to deploy the technology.
• Sanad (Mubadala)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025Launched third cohort of Sanad Future Leaders Programme combining online and in-person sessions in Abu Dhabi and Florida. Program develops aerospace industry leaders through hybrid curriculum.
• Aura AeromajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025French hybrid-electric aircraft company opened U.S. headquarters and production site at Embry-Riddle Research Park in Daytona Beach. Aura Aero aims to be first U.S. manufacturer of hybrid-electric regional aircraft with over 500 orders globally and $10.5 billion in commitments. Facility serves as U.S. headquarters and Delivery & Customer Support Center.
• Panhandle Helicopter AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 October 2025Partnership to expand helicopter training capabilities and provide additional pathways for students pursuing aviation careers.
• FAAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Agreement with FAA for Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative allowing graduates direct entry into air traffic controller training. Partnership through Florida Test Bed facility near Daytona Beach International Airport for aviation research.
• BoeingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Boeing for Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety; Boeing Learning Together Program scholarships; collaborative research; Boeing ecoDemonstrator program participation. Boeing and Embry-Riddle collaborate on advanced digital communications testing.
• Air AstanastrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmbry-Riddle Worldwide delivered Aviation English Rater Courses to Kazakhstan airline supporting ICAO language proficiency requirements. Air Astana received certification from Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan for its English Proficiency Testing System.
• Airline Cadet Programs (Delta, United, JetBlue, etc.)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmbry-Riddle maintains cadet pathway agreements with major airlines including Delta Propel, United Aviate, JetBlue Gateway, Envoy, Frontier, GoJet, Piedmont, PSA, Republic Airways, SkyWest, Spirit. Programs provide direct career pathways for graduates.
• Centrum HoldingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions about potential aviation university partnership in Uzbekistan with Centrum Holding and My Freighter to support civil aviation development and cargo operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of North Dakota - John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences: UND's aerospace school is one of the largest non-military flight training institutions in the U.S. and offers a comparable portfolio of aviation, aerospace, air traffic control, and space studies degrees, competing directly for the same pilot/aerospace talent pool.
• Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology: Vaughn is a specialized aviation/aeronautics college near LaGuardia offering associate and bachelor's degrees in aviation maintenance, airport management, and aviation safety, competing in similar niche aviation-degree categories with a strong maintenance technician focus.
• Purdue University - School of Aviation and Transportation Technology: Purdue's aviation program is the most direct competitor to Embry-Riddle in U.S. higher education, offering bachelor's degrees in professional flight, aeronautical engineering, and aviation management, and producing graduates who feed the same major airline cadet pipelines (Delta Propel, United Aviate).
• LeTourneau University - School of Aviation and Aeronautical Science: LeTourneau is a small Christian engineering-focused university with an aviation program offering flight training and aerospace engineering, comparable to Embry-Riddle in mission overlap (engineering + aviation) though at smaller scale.
• Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Spartan is a for-profit aviation trade school offering aviation maintenance technology, avionics, and pilot training programs; it is a direct competitor for non-traditional and maintenance-track students seeking aviation credentials at lower cost.
• Florida Institute of Technology - College of Aeronautics: Florida Tech's College of Aeronautics (formerly FIT Aviation) is geographically adjacent in Florida and offers flight training plus aerospace engineering programs, directly competing for the same Sunshine State aviation student demographic.
• Liberty University - School of Aeronautics: Liberty's School of Aeronautics offers FAA Part 141 flight training and aviation degrees in a residential setting, competing with Embry-Riddle on tuition value and pilot-track enrollment for Christian and conservative student segments.

Broad incumbents

• CAE Oxford Aviation Academy: CAE is a global incumbent in commercial aviation training (simulators, cadet programs, type rating) and competes with Embry-Riddle for airline-sponsored cadet intake and advanced flight training contracts, though at much larger scale and with a commercial rather than academic credential model.

Emerging players

• US Air Force Academy: Although a federal service academy rather than a private institution, USAFA competes for the same high-achieving high school graduates interested in aviation, aerospace, and STEM careers and feeds a similar military aviation pipeline.

Regional players

• AirAsia Aviation Academy (formerly Asian Aviation Centre): AirAsia's aviation academy in Malaysia/Singapore provides pilot and cabin crew training, partially overlapping with Embry-Riddle's Asia Campus offering and competing for Southeast Asian pilot trainees in the regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EmbryRiddle
• Facebookfacebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school
• Instagraminstagram.com/embryriddle
• Xx.com/EmbryRiddle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University