Albany State University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta comes closer — median earnings $48,191 against a $109,460 total, vs $40,674 at Albany State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Albany State University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,898 | $27,365 |
| Total net cost | $47,592 | $109,460 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,674 | $48,191 |
| Median debt | $25,024 | $31,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$201,312 | -$112,840 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Albany State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta?
Albany State University, at $11,898 a year after aid versus $27,365 — a gap of $15,467 a year, or $61,868 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Albany State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta graduates report a median $48,191 ten years after entry, $7,517 more than the $40,674 at Albany State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Albany State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta?
Albany State University: its completers carry a median $25,024 in federal loans versus $31,500 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta, a difference of $6,476. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta, against 31% at Albany State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.