Gardner-Webb University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Gardner-Webb University comes closer — median earnings $48,039 against a $70,696 total, vs $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Gardner-Webb University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,674 | $25,733 |
| Total net cost | $70,696 | $102,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,039 | $42,759 |
| Median debt | $24,222 | $29,773 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$77,116 | -$214,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Gardner-Webb University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Gardner-Webb University, at $17,674 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $8,059 a year, or $32,236 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Gardner-Webb University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Gardner-Webb University graduates report a median $48,039 ten years after entry, $5,280 more than the $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. 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, Gardner-Webb University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Gardner-Webb University: its completers carry a median $24,222 in federal loans versus $29,773 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, a difference of $5,551. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, against 55% at Gardner-Webb 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.