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Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia vs South Hills School of Business & Technology: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Philadelphia PA · vs · Private for-profit, State College PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia comes closer — median earnings $42,785 against a $101,748 total, vs $35,539 at South Hills School of Business & Technology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAviation Institute of Maintenance-PhiladelphiaSouth Hills School of Business & Technology
Net price / yr$25,437$19,673
Total net cost$101,748$39,346
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,785$35,539
Median debt$32,397$16,000
Payback
20-year net return-$213,248-$295,766

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

Which is cheaper, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia or South Hills School of Business & Technology?

South Hills School of Business & Technology, at $19,673 a year after aid versus $25,437 — a gap of $5,764 a year, or $62,402 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-Philadelphia or South Hills School of Business & Technology graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates report a median $42,785 ten years after entry, $7,246 more than the $35,539 at South Hills School of Business & Technology. 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-Philadelphia or South Hills School of Business & Technology?

South Hills School of Business & Technology: its completers carry a median $16,000 in federal loans versus $32,397 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, a difference of $16,397. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at South Hills School of Business & Technology, against 63% at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia. 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-Philadelphia vs South Hills School of Business & Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia or South Hills School of Business & Technology a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia 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-Philadelphia or South Hills School of Business & Technology?
South Hills School of Business & Technology: $19,673/yr net price after aid versus $25,437/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia — a difference of $5,764 a year, or about $62,402 over four years.
Do Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia or South Hills School of Business & Technology graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn a median $42,785 ten years after entry, versus $35,539 at South Hills School of Business & Technology — a $7,246 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.