Ferrum College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Ferrum College comes closer — median earnings $44,296 against a $80,328 total, vs $44,173 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ferrum College | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,082 | $23,046 |
| Total net cost | $80,328 | $92,184 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,296 | $44,173 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $29,375 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$161,608 | -$175,924 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ferrum College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?
Ferrum College, at $20,082 a year after aid versus $23,046 — a gap of $2,964 a year, or $11,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ferrum College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn more?
Ferrum College graduates report a median $44,296 ten years after entry, $123 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, Ferrum College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk?
Ferrum College: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $29,375 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, a difference of $2,375. 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 32% at Ferrum 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.