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Eastern Shore Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk: which has better ROI?

Public, Melfa VA · vs · Private for-profit, Norfolk VA

The verdict

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 $32,418 at Eastern Shore Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEastern Shore Community CollegeAviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
Net price / yr$2,495$23,046
Total net cost$9,980$92,184
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,418$44,173
Median debt$29,375
Payback
20-year net return-$328,820-$175,924

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

Which is cheaper, Eastern Shore Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?

Eastern Shore Community College, at $2,495 a year after aid versus $23,046 — a gap of $20,551 a year, or $82,204 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Eastern Shore Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates report a median $44,173 ten years after entry, $11,755 more than the $32,418 at Eastern Shore Community College. 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 graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, against 41% at Eastern Shore Community College. 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.

Eastern Shore Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern Shore Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk 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, Eastern Shore Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?
Eastern Shore Community College: $2,495/yr net price after aid versus $23,046/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk — a difference of $20,551 a year, or about $82,204 over four years.
Do Eastern Shore Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn a median $44,173 ten years after entry, versus $32,418 at Eastern Shore Community College — a $11,755 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.