Harris-Stowe State University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City comes closer — median earnings $40,743 against a $107,260 total, vs $31,088 at Harris-Stowe State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Harris-Stowe State University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,922 | $26,815 |
| Total net cost | $39,688 | $107,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,088 | $40,743 |
| Median debt | $25,930 | $30,416 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$385,128 | -$259,600 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Harris-Stowe State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City?
Harris-Stowe State University, at $9,922 a year after aid versus $26,815 — a gap of $16,893 a year, or $67,572 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Harris-Stowe State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City graduates report a median $40,743 ten years after entry, $9,655 more than the $31,088 at Harris-Stowe State University. 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, Harris-Stowe State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City?
Harris-Stowe State University: its completers carry a median $25,930 in federal loans versus $30,416 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City, a difference of $4,486. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City, against 28% at Harris-Stowe State 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.