Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is celebrating a major milestone with a record 10,121 new students for the 2024-25 academic year. This surge, especially during its centennial year, reflects growing enthusiasm for careers in aviation and aerospace.
On August 25, both the Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona campuses welcomed 3,323 new students, a 3.6% rise from the previous year. The Daytona Beach Campus enrolled 2,410 students from 50 states and 69 countries, marking a 1.9% increase. Total enrollment here has grown by 24% over the past five years, reaching 8,748 students. Meanwhile, Prescott Campus saw 913 new students from 48 states and 21 countries, boasting its second-highest enrollment since opening in 1978.
The Worldwide Campus also saw a boost, welcoming 6,650 new students, a 4.3% increase from last year and the highest since 2020-21. With more than 31,000 students across its campuses, Embry-Riddle is clearly on an upward path.
Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., expressed optimism about this new class. “These students are stepping into a pivotal moment in aviation and aerospace,” he noted, emphasizing their potential to shape the industry’s future.
Dr. Jason M. Ruckert, senior vice president for Enrollment Management, highlighted the university’s strong job placement rates. “With 95% of graduates either working or continuing their education within a year, the value of an Embry-Riddle degree is clear,” he said. This success is echoed by the university’s rankings; in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report, Embry-Riddle earned ten top-10 honors, including accolades in engineering and innovation.
One notable student, Enoch Tonkin, hails from South Africa and is keen on pursuing a career as an astronaut. He is part of the Honors Program and majors in Aerospace Physiology, aiming for a master’s in Human Factors. Another standout, Ellie Vineyard from Moscow, Idaho, is focused on Global Security and Intelligence Studies, aiming to work in the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Both students emphasize the importance of not just grades but also personal growth. Vineyard, who transformed from an introvert to an engaged leader, said, “Getting involved has made me feel at home here.”
The university’s commitment to equipping students for successful careers remains strong. Ruckert summed it up: “Since 1926, we have focused on fostering excellence, and our students are a testament to that mission.”
As Embry-Riddle marks its hundred years, the incoming class represents the future of aviation, promising to lead with innovation and ambition in a rapidly evolving industry.
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