Ariben vs. Embry Riddle

[Aceninja]

Hi guys,


I am thinking about going to either Embry Riddle (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - World's Leader in Aviation and Aerospace Education) or Ariben Aviator (Flight School and Flight Training Programs - Aviator Flight Training College) to pursue my flight training. I already have my PPL and do know that this is what I want to do for a living. Flying has been my hearts desire since I was a kid and I finally have the means to do it (although you might think I am crazy to do it in this economy). The way it stands, as of right now I have about 16 months of VA benefits remaining that I can use towards either college. I already have a lot of hours (96) going towards the Professional Aeronautics degree from Embry Riddle Online, but if I transfer over into the Aeronautical Science degree, I would only get less than half of that and would take me around 3 years altogether to finish up. Riddle also does not seem to offer a lot of multi engine time, even in their multi track program. But then again Riddle seems to be one of the best Aviation colleges out there, but would I be better off pocketing the change/not taking a loan and going to a school such as Aviator which does offer significantly more multi engine time? On one hand, there seems to be the Embry Riddle experience and taking college classes which I would probably enjoy, on the other hand I can just finish up my degree online with them in 2 semesters and continue my flight training elsewhere, which would be significantly cheaper with less money spent out of pocket.

However, in the long term, would that be a bad decision? Do people prefer Riddle grads to say most others, or is that just successful marketing propaganda?


Just thought I would ask to see what you guys think about it. I am not trying to start a "Riddle bashing" or "Aviator bashing" thread, just wanted to get your opinion on two different modules of training and their costs & benefits etc. Has anyone been to the aforementioned schools? What do you think?

Thanks for your input.

[flyprototype]

if you are not US citizen, why do you want go to an expensive school?
go cheap, save money to buy food later when you discover there are not many jobs for pilots with 200h!

[Aceninja]

The school is no doubt expensive, but since I do have the citizenship I won't have to pay international rates. Having said that it is still terribly expensive. I do have some Veterans benefits which would pay for 16 months of school + flight training etc, but after that I am on my own (loan+savings). If I end up going to the other school I get 200 multi time in a Beech Duchess and could complete it entirely debt free. I am leaning more towards that option, but wanted to fully explore both options and did not want to make a decision in haste. Since flying is going to be my career I wanted to make sure I made an informed decision. Does it really matter where you train for that matter? Also how well is Embry Riddle recognized outside of the United States? The aviation market in the US sucks right now and I was thinking of India or the far east in the long term (after I have amassed enough hours and experience). My fear is that maybe 5 or 10 years from now when I am sitting down for an interview at a major airline, no matter where in the world, I might get bypassed by someone who went to a better/more well known school. Maybe thats just paranoia, but what do you guys think?

[B2N2]

Embry Riddle is good but very expensive, cheaper ways to do the flying and get your degree on the side.
Ariben has a bit of a checkered reputation to say the least.
There are one of the "fast-food hamburger" places out there.
I've sent you a PM.

[blacksnake]

You may want to consider Middle Georgia College located in Eastman, GA. It is a state funded school, four time cheaper than Riddle. They have 2 and 4 years degrees available, many people are not aware of that school. Check it out
www.mgc.edu