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Emory & Henry University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Emory VA · vs · Private for-profit, Norfolk VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Emory & Henry University comes closer — median earnings $47,385 against a $76,244 total, vs $44,173 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEmory & Henry UniversityAviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
Net price / yr$19,061$23,046
Total net cost$76,244$92,184
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,385$44,173
Median debt$26,332$29,375
Payback
20-year net return-$95,744-$175,924

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

Which is cheaper, Emory & Henry University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?

Emory & Henry University, at $19,061 a year after aid versus $23,046 — a gap of $3,985 a year, or $15,940 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Emory & Henry University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn more?

Emory & Henry University graduates report a median $47,385 ten years after entry, $3,212 more than the $44,173 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk. 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, Emory & Henry University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?

Emory & Henry University: its completers carry a median $26,332 in federal loans versus $29,375 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, a difference of $3,043. 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 56% at Emory & Henry 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.

Emory & Henry University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk: frequently asked questions

Is Emory & Henry University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk a better value?
Emory & Henry 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, Emory & Henry University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?
Emory & Henry University: $19,061/yr net price after aid versus $23,046/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk — a difference of $3,985 a year, or about $15,940 over four years.
Do Emory & Henry University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn more?
Emory & Henry University graduates earn a median $47,385 ten years after entry, versus $44,173 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk — a $3,212 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.