Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte vs Southeastern College-Charlotte: which has better ROI?
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 $31,548 at Southeastern College-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte | Southeastern College-Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,733 | $30,611 |
| Total net cost | $102,932 | $122,444 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,759 | $31,548 |
| Median debt | $29,773 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$214,952 | -$458,684 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Southeastern College-Charlotte?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, at $25,733 a year after aid versus $30,611 — a gap of $4,878 a year, or $19,512 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 Southeastern College-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates report a median $42,759 ten years after entry, $11,211 more than the $31,548 at Southeastern College-Charlotte. 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, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte or Southeastern College-Charlotte?
Southeastern College-Charlotte: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $29,773 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, a difference of $20,273. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Southeastern College-Charlotte, against 70% at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. 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.