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Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Irving TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Baptist University comes closer — median earnings $44,644 against a $99,624 total, vs $42,375 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAviation Institute of Maintenance-DallasArlington Baptist University
Net price / yr$27,139$24,906
Total net cost$108,556$99,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,375$44,644
Median debt$32,229$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$228,256-$173,944

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

Which is cheaper, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas or Arlington Baptist University?

Arlington Baptist University, at $24,906 a year after aid versus $27,139 — a gap of $2,233 a year, or $8,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $2,269 more than the $42,375 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas. 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-Dallas or Arlington Baptist University?

Arlington Baptist University: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $32,229 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas, a difference of $5,229. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas, against 19% at Arlington Baptist 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.

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas vs Arlington Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas or Arlington Baptist University a better value?
Arlington Baptist University 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-Dallas or Arlington Baptist University?
Arlington Baptist University: $24,906/yr net price after aid versus $27,139/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas — a difference of $2,233 a year, or about $8,932 over four years.
Do Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $42,375 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas — a $2,269 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.