Lees-McRae College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lees-McRae College comes closer — median earnings $43,415 against a $113,360 total, vs $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lees-McRae College | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,340 | $25,733 |
| Total net cost | $113,360 | $102,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,415 | $42,759 |
| Median debt | $17,375 | $29,773 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$212,260 | -$214,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lees-McRae College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, at $25,733 a year after aid versus $28,340 — a gap of $2,607 a year, or $10,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lees-McRae College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Lees-McRae College graduates report a median $43,415 ten years after entry, $656 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, Lees-McRae College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Lees-McRae College: its completers carry a median $17,375 in federal loans versus $29,773 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, a difference of $12,398. 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 42% at Lees-McRae 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.