Opinions are like a$$h0les, everyone's got one. Here’s mine (opinion that is…):
My experience:
- Graduated Prescott ERAU ’98 Electrical Engineering. Flight training ‘on-the-side’ (local FBO) with two flight courses through ERAU*.
- 3 job offers (engineering) before graduating (Honeywell, Dassault Falcon Jet, Reflectone – sim manufacture in Tampa, FL C130, V22, Blackhawk) and many interviews with aviation companies** (NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, etc). I believe my name would have gotten lost at a Big Ten school, never having had this type of aviation exposure.
(This is #1 reason I believe ERAU is the better choice.)
- Undergrad Aerospace Engineering top in the country (US New and World Report want you to pay to see ranking. See it here for free –
Embry-Riddle Wins Top College Ranking
- Flight training in AZ = good weather (less cancelled flight training lessons)
- Engineering degree success is not pass/fail like larger schools (engineering degrees at larger schools - you compete to complete). ERAU = smaller classroom = more learned = more available resources (no Teacher Assistants in the classroom, talk one-on-one with those professors TEACHING the classes) = higher success rate to complete your engineering degree.
- Tuition - recognized that tuition has increased over the years, in ’98 ERAU tuition was below the national private school average. Out of state tuition at Purdue???
- ERAU receives $$, endorsements and interaction from all the major players in the aviation community. FAA, NTSB, NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, etc. – you name it and there’s ERAU alumni working there, looking to hire you. This also means excellent aviation co-ops/internships with aviation companies. Not only engineering but the airlines as well (contact ERAU’s Career Planning Center, you will be pleasantly surprised).
* - Flight Training was the best I ever experienced (yet this compared to local on-the-field schools I mostly used to save money).
** - If you are not interested in engineering in aerospace/aviation, ERAU may not be for you.
Any university’s success is driven by alumni (and $$$).
Bottom line – complete your BA/BS degree. Complete an engineering degree and you open more doors; especially pilot type jobs. Hope this helps and good luck to you! Exciting times!