American Institute-West Hartford vs Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden comes closer — median earnings $42,914 against a $82,196 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-West Hartford. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Institute-West Hartford | Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,316 | $20,549 |
| Total net cost | $77,264 | $82,196 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $28,710 | $42,914 |
| Median debt | $11,979 | $12,350 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$470,264 | -$191,116 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Institute-West Hartford or Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden?
American Institute-West Hartford, at $19,316 a year after aid versus $20,549 — a gap of $1,233 a year, or $4,932 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-West Hartford or Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden graduates earn more?
Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden graduates report a median $42,914 ten years after entry, $14,204 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-West Hartford. 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-West Hartford or Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden?
American Institute-West Hartford: its completers carry a median $11,979 in federal loans versus $12,350 at Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden, a difference of $371. 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 American Institute-West Hartford, against 32% at Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden. 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.