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Fortis Institute-Wayne vs American Institute-Somerset: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Wayne NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Somerset NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fortis Institute-Wayne comes closer — median earnings $36,920 against a $96,036 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFortis Institute-WayneAmerican Institute-Somerset
Net price / yr$24,009$20,464
Total net cost$96,036$81,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,920$28,710
Median debt$9,500$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$324,836-$474,856

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

Which is cheaper, Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Somerset?

American Institute-Somerset, at $20,464 a year after aid versus $24,009 — a gap of $3,545 a year, or $14,180 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?

Fortis Institute-Wayne graduates report a median $36,920 ten years after entry, $8,210 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset. 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, Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Somerset?

Fortis Institute-Wayne: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Somerset, a difference of $2,479. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at Fortis Institute-Wayne, against 56% at American Institute-Somerset. 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.

Fortis Institute-Wayne vs American Institute-Somerset: frequently asked questions

Is Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Somerset a better value?
Fortis Institute-Wayne 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, Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Somerset?
American Institute-Somerset: $20,464/yr net price after aid versus $24,009/yr at Fortis Institute-Wayne — a difference of $3,545 a year, or about $14,180 over four years.
Do Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?
Fortis Institute-Wayne graduates earn a median $36,920 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset — a $8,210 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.