Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Goodwin University vs American Institute-West Hartford: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, East Hartford CT · vs · Private for-profit, West Hartford CT

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Goodwin University comes closer — median earnings $43,596 against a $58,498 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-West Hartford. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureGoodwin UniversityAmerican Institute-West Hartford
Net price / yr$29,249$19,316
Total net cost$58,498$77,264
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,596$28,710
Median debt$33,500$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$153,778-$470,264

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

Which is cheaper, Goodwin University or American Institute-West Hartford?

American Institute-West Hartford, at $19,316 a year after aid versus $29,249 — a gap of $9,933 a year, or $18,766 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Goodwin University or American Institute-West Hartford graduates earn more?

Goodwin University graduates report a median $43,596 ten years after entry, $14,886 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-West Hartford. 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, Goodwin University or American Institute-West Hartford?

American Institute-West Hartford: its completers carry a median $11,979 in federal loans versus $33,500 at Goodwin University, a difference of $21,521. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

58% of students finish at Goodwin University, against 56% at American Institute-West Hartford. 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.

Goodwin University vs American Institute-West Hartford: frequently asked questions

Is Goodwin University or American Institute-West Hartford a better value?
Goodwin University 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, Goodwin University or American Institute-West Hartford?
American Institute-West Hartford: $19,316/yr net price after aid versus $29,249/yr at Goodwin University — a difference of $9,933 a year, or about $18,766 over four years.
Do Goodwin University or American Institute-West Hartford graduates earn more?
Goodwin University graduates earn a median $43,596 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-West Hartford — a $14,886 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.