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American Institute-Toms River vs National Career Institute: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Toms River NJ · vs · Private for-profit, East Orange NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Institute-Toms River comes closer — median earnings $28,710 against a $79,124 total, vs $26,415 at National Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Institute-Toms RiverNational Career Institute
Net price / yr$19,781$25,261
Total net cost$79,124$101,044
Median earnings, 10 yrs$28,710$26,415
Median debt$11,979$6,756
Payback
20-year net return-$472,124-$539,944

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, American Institute-Toms River or National Career Institute?

American Institute-Toms River, at $19,781 a year after aid versus $25,261 — a gap of $5,480 a year, or $21,920 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-Toms River or National Career Institute graduates earn more?

American Institute-Toms River graduates report a median $28,710 ten years after entry, $2,295 more than the $26,415 at National Career Institute. 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-Toms River or National Career Institute?

National Career Institute: its completers carry a median $6,756 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Toms River, a difference of $5,223. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at National Career Institute, against 55% at American Institute-Toms River. 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.

American Institute-Toms River vs National Career Institute: frequently asked questions

Is American Institute-Toms River or National Career Institute a better value?
American Institute-Toms River comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, American Institute-Toms River or National Career Institute?
American Institute-Toms River: $19,781/yr net price after aid versus $25,261/yr at National Career Institute — a difference of $5,480 a year, or about $21,920 over four years.
Do American Institute-Toms River or National Career Institute graduates earn more?
American Institute-Toms River graduates earn a median $28,710 ten years after entry, versus $26,415 at National Career Institute — a $2,295 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.