Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia comes closer — median earnings $42,785 against a $101,748 total, vs $29,738 at Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,971 | $25,437 |
| Total net cost | $47,884 | $101,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $29,738 | $42,785 |
| Median debt | $3,167 | $32,397 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$420,324 | -$213,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork, at $11,971 a year after aid versus $25,437 — a gap of $13,466 a year, or $53,864 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates report a median $42,785 ten years after entry, $13,047 more than the $29,738 at Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork. 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, Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork: its completers carry a median $3,167 in federal loans versus $32,397 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, a difference of $29,230. 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 Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork, against 63% at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia. 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.