Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas vs South University-Richmond: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas comes closer — median earnings $46,441 against a $109,280 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Richmond. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas | South University-Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,320 | $30,442 |
| Total net cost | $109,280 | $121,768 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,441 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $31,959 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$147,660 | -$400,548 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas or South University-Richmond?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, at $27,320 a year after aid versus $30,442 — a gap of $3,122 a year, or $12,488 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-Manassas or South University-Richmond graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates report a median $46,441 ten years after entry, $12,020 more than the $34,421 at South University-Richmond. 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-Manassas or South University-Richmond?
South University-Richmond: its completers carry a median $26,123 in federal loans versus $31,959 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, a difference of $5,836. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, against 42% at South University-Richmond. 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.