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Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte vs Martin Community College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Charlotte NC · vs · Public, Williamston NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte comes closer — median earnings $42,759 against a $102,932 total, vs $26,016 at Martin Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAviation Institute of Maintenance-CharlotteMartin Community College
Net price / yr$25,733$2,676
Total net cost$102,932$10,704
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,759$26,016
Median debt$29,773
Payback
20-year net return-$214,952-$457,584

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

Which is cheaper, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Martin Community College?

Martin Community College, at $2,676 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $23,057 a year, or $92,228 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Martin Community College graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates report a median $42,759 ten years after entry, $16,743 more than the $26,016 at Martin Community College. 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 graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, against 39% at Martin Community College. 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.

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte vs Martin Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Martin Community College a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte 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, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Martin Community College?
Martin Community College: $2,676/yr net price after aid versus $25,733/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte — a difference of $23,057 a year, or about $92,228 over four years.
Do Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Martin Community College graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn a median $42,759 ten years after entry, versus $26,016 at Martin Community College — a $16,743 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.