Ave Maria University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando: which has better ROI?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $99,980 in 20.1 years versus 85.7 years at Ave Maria University, on median earnings of $53,341 vs $49,520 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ave Maria University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,860 | $24,995 |
| Total net cost | $99,440 | $99,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,520 | $53,341 |
| Median debt | $20,776 | $31,301 |
| Payback | 85.7 yrs | 20.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$76,240 | -$360 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ave Maria University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando?
Ave Maria University, at $24,860 a year after aid versus $24,995 — a gap of $135 a year, or $540 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ave Maria University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando graduates report a median $53,341 ten years after entry, $3,821 more than the $49,520 at Ave Maria 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, Ave Maria University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando?
Ave Maria University: its completers carry a median $20,776 in federal loans versus $31,301 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando, a difference of $10,525. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando, against 54% at Ave Maria 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.