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J Sargeant Reynolds Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas: which has better ROI?

Public, Richmond VA · vs · Private for-profit, Manassas VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas comes closer — median earnings $46,441 against a $109,280 total, vs $39,529 at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJ Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas
Net price / yr$5,168$27,320
Total net cost$20,672$109,280
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,529$46,441
Median debt$10,500$31,959
Payback
20-year net return-$197,292-$147,660

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

Which is cheaper, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, at $5,168 a year after aid versus $27,320 — a gap of $22,152 a year, or $88,608 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do J Sargeant Reynolds Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates report a median $46,441 ten years after entry, $6,912 more than the $39,529 at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. 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, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $31,959 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, a difference of $21,459. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

82% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, against 32% at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. 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.

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas: frequently asked questions

Is J Sargeant Reynolds Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas 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, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College: $5,168/yr net price after aid versus $27,320/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas — a difference of $22,152 a year, or about $88,608 over four years.
Do J Sargeant Reynolds Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn a median $46,441 ten years after entry, versus $39,529 at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College — a $6,912 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.