American Institute-Clifton vs Fortis Institute-Wayne: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fortis Institute-Wayne comes closer — median earnings $36,920 against a $96,036 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-Clifton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Institute-Clifton | Fortis Institute-Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,371 | $24,009 |
| Total net cost | $81,484 | $96,036 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $28,710 | $36,920 |
| Median debt | $11,979 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$474,484 | -$324,836 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Institute-Clifton or Fortis Institute-Wayne?
American Institute-Clifton, at $20,371 a year after aid versus $24,009 — a gap of $3,638 a year, or $14,552 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do American Institute-Clifton or Fortis Institute-Wayne graduates earn more?
Fortis Institute-Wayne graduates report a median $36,920 ten years after entry, $8,210 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-Clifton. 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, American Institute-Clifton or Fortis Institute-Wayne?
Fortis Institute-Wayne: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Clifton, a difference of $2,479. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Fortis Institute-Wayne, against 57% at American Institute-Clifton. 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.