Frequently Asked Questions

Some students choose a double major. Common examples include Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautical Science. Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering often show up as double majors. In any of these examples, it will require additional time to complete the requirements of both degrees.

Embry-Riddle engineering faculty are among the best teachers on Campus. They come here because they want to teach. Research is not their primary focus. Unlike many other universities, professors —  not graduate students — teach all the engineering and math courses. Engineering courses are relatively small (most have less than 30 students) and many have hands-on laboratories so students have an active role in learning. There is plenty of tutoring available from upperclassmen. Professors also have at least 10 hours per week of office hours devoted solely to helping students with assignments or other problems. Advising is taken very seriously at Embry-Riddle. Professors typically contact their advisees multiple times each semester to make sure they are doing well in their classes and are happy with their education as it relates to their future goals.

Many of our engineering students are also in Air Force or Army ROTC. About one fourth of engineering students are in an ROTC program. We're considered an ROTC friendly environment. However,  completing the requirements for ROTC on top of a rigorous Engineering Degree Program is challenging. It appears that time management may be the most important skill in this endeavor.

Engineering salaries vary around the country due to location and market demand. As of 2020, the average starting salary for our Mechanical Engineering graduates (for students with a B.S. degree and internship experience) is around $70k. The average starting salary for our Aerospace, Computer, Electrical and Software Engineering graduates is about $5k-$10k more.

The fact that Embry-Riddle is a small school with relatively small class sizes means that students have much more face time with their instructors than they would at larger institutions. The faculty is dedicated to helping students succeed, which means they are willing to work with students during their office hours if they are having difficulty grasping the course material. Embry-Riddle also offers tutor labs that allow students additional opportunities to improve their class work.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has a reputation for producing graduates that are ready to "hit the ground running" in the engineering jobs they obtain. Industry representatives are very satisfied with our hands-on curriculum which allows students to practice and verify theoretical methods. Our engineering curriculum also emphasizes development of communication skills, while many Engineering Degree Programs do not. These skills also prove invaluable in postgraduate work.

Electrical engineers are the designers of a broad range of electronic hardware that includes embedded systems, control systems, communication systems, power systems, and analog and digital electronics. Computer engineers focus on the hardware and software of computer systems and embedded systems. Software Engineers learn how to design, develop, and maintain the software for real-time, embedded, and safety critical systems.

Between them, these three disciplines span the space between hardware-centered focus (Electrical Engineering), computer hardware and software focus (Computer Engineering) and software focus (Software Engineering).

Both co-op and internship opportunities can help students gain employment once they graduate. You can list your internship as actual career experience on your resume and talk about what you learned during interviews. More importantly, cooperative educational experiences bring relevance to your education as you attend school. Multiple co-op and internship opportunities exist for Embry-Riddle engineering students.