Study abroad at Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is the undisputed aviation and aerospace capital of the world, situated along the Atlantic Coast in Central Florida (part of Florida's Space Coast and 60 minutes from Orlando and NASA Kennedy Space Center). Globally celebrated for its iconic hard-packed white sand beaches, the Daytona International Speedway (home of the legendary Daytona 500 NASCAR race), and sunny Atlantic lifestyle with 0% state income tax in Florida, Daytona Beach is home to the world's premier aerospace institution: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU - founded in 1926, famously known worldwide as 'The Harvard of the Sky', ranked #1 in the US for Aerospace Engineering without a doctorate for over 16 consecutive years by US News & World Report). ERAU operates the largest university flight training fleet in the nation and is internationally celebrated for the College of Aviation (Aeronautical Science / Commercial Pilot flight training, Air Traffic Management, Unmanned Aircraft Systems / Drones, Aviation Maintenance Science), College of Engineering (ABET-accredited leader in Aerospace, Mechanical, and Spaceflight Operations Engineering with the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex), and College of Arts & Sciences (Space Physics and Human Factors), alongside Bethune-Cookman University (historic private university) and Daytona State College. Degrees are taught 100% in English with prestigious US and FAA accreditations. International students benefit from direct pilot cadet pipelines with major global airlines (Delta, United, American, Emirates), year-round flight weather, zero state personal income tax, and direct US F-1 / I-20 Student Visa support with 3-year STEM OPT work extensions.

Tuition fees in Daytona Beach for international undergraduate students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) range between $42,500 and $44,800 per academic year for Aerospace Engineering, Space Physics, Aviation Business, and Computer Science (with flight training fees for Commercial Pilot Aeronautical Science courses billed separately based on FAA flight hours, approx. $25,000–$35,000/year). ERAU awards generous international merit scholarships ranging from $8,000 to $16,000/year for qualified international applicants. At Daytona State College, tuition ranges between $13,500 and $15,000 per year. Postgraduate Master's programs range between $18,000 and $28,000 per year. On-campus university residence halls (ERAU Student Village, Chanute, Apollo Hall) cost between $850 and $1,400 per month (inclusive of meal plans and utilities), while off-campus student apartments in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Ormond Beach range from $650 to $1,150 per month. General monthly living expenses range between $850 and $1,450.

International students require a US F-1 Student Visa. Upon academic admission and verification of financial documentation (bank statement certifying first-year tuition, flight fees if applicable, and living expenses), the International Student Services Office (ERAU ISSO) issues the official Form I-20. For flight students, TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP / FTSP) security clearance is processed. The student pays the SEVIS I-901 fee, completes the DS-160 online visa application, and attends the F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. STEM graduates qualify for a 24-month OPT extension (total 36 months of US employment authorization).