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

Private for-profit, Wayne NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Toms River 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-Toms River. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFortis Institute-WayneAmerican Institute-Toms River
Net price / yr$24,009$19,781
Total net cost$96,036$79,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,920$28,710
Median debt$9,500$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$324,836-$472,124

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

Which is cheaper, Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Toms River?

American Institute-Toms River, at $19,781 a year after aid versus $24,009 — a gap of $4,228 a year, or $16,912 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-Toms River 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-Toms River. 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-Toms River?

Fortis Institute-Wayne: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Toms River, 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 55% at American Institute-Toms River. 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-Toms River: frequently asked questions

Is Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Toms River 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-Toms River?
American Institute-Toms River: $19,781/yr net price after aid versus $24,009/yr at Fortis Institute-Wayne — a difference of $4,228 a year, or about $16,912 over four years.
Do Fortis Institute-Wayne or American Institute-Toms River graduates earn more?
Fortis Institute-Wayne graduates earn a median $36,920 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-Toms River — a $8,210 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.