Why is Embry Riddle's graduation rate low?

I'm looking into Embry Riddle as a potential option for college, but I've noticed that their graduation rate is lower than I expected. Does anyone have any insight on why this might be the case?

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's graduation rate is lower compared to some other universities for a few reasons. Keep in mind that these factors do not necessarily indicate poor education quality or student experience, but together can result in a larger than average percentage of students not finishing their degrees.

1. Technical majors: Embry-Riddle is well-known for its aviation, aerospace, and other STEM-focused programs. These majors tend to be more rigorous and time-consuming, which sometimes means some students need to take a longer time to complete their degrees, or others may choose to drop out altogether if they find the workload overwhelming.

2. Professional opportunities: Some students receive attractive job offers before completing their degree due to the strong industry connections and the high demand for skilled professionals in Embry-Riddle's fields of focus. So, some students leave school early simply to pursue their careers.

3. Military and transfer students: Embry-Riddle has a significant number of military and transfer students enrolled, who often take an unconventional path to graduation because of their service or transfer requirements. Their graduation timelines might vary as a result, and they may not be counted in the traditional four-year or six-year graduation rates.

4. Campus locations: Embry-Riddle has two main campuses (Daytona Beach and Prescott) and a Worldwide campus. The Worldwide campus primarily offers online and remote learning, which generally caters to working professionals or non-traditional students. Due to the nature of online programs, the completion rate tends to be lower when compared to traditional on-campus programs, which can impact the overall combined graduation rate for the university.

To conclude, while the lower graduation rate might seem less favorable at first glance, it doesn't necessarily signify a lack of quality education or resources at Embry-Riddle. The factors I mentioned contribute to the lower rate, so it's important to consider your priorities and whether Embry-Riddle's programs align with your educational and career goals, rather than looking at the graduation rate in a vacuum. Best of luck with your college search!