ETI School of Skilled Trades vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago: which has better ROI?
ETI School of Skilled Trades has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,504 in 19.9 years versus 22 years at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago, on median earnings of $52,800 vs $53,341 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ETI School of Skilled Trades | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,126 | $27,347 |
| Total net cost | $88,504 | $109,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,800 | $53,341 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $31,301 |
| Payback | 19.9 yrs | 22 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $296 | -$9,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, ETI School of Skilled Trades or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago?
ETI School of Skilled Trades, at $22,126 a year after aid versus $27,347 — a gap of $5,221 a year, or $20,884 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do ETI School of Skilled Trades or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago graduates report a median $53,341 ten years after entry, $541 more than the $52,800 at ETI School of Skilled Trades. 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, ETI School of Skilled Trades or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago?
ETI School of Skilled Trades: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,301 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago, a difference of $21,801. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.