Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk vs South University-Richmond: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk comes closer — median earnings $44,173 against a $92,184 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Richmond. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk | South University-Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,046 | $30,442 |
| Total net cost | $92,184 | $121,768 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,173 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $29,375 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$175,924 | -$400,548 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk or South University-Richmond?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, at $23,046 a year after aid versus $30,442 — a gap of $7,396 a year, or $29,584 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-Norfolk or South University-Richmond graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates report a median $44,173 ten years after entry, $9,752 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-Norfolk or South University-Richmond?
South University-Richmond: its completers carry a median $26,123 in federal loans versus $29,375 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, a difference of $3,252. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, 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.