Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah vs American Institute-Clifton: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah comes closer — median earnings $46,396 against a $115,872 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-Clifton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah | American Institute-Clifton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,968 | $20,371 |
| Total net cost | $115,872 | $81,484 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,396 | $28,710 |
| Median debt | $11,730 | $11,979 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$155,152 | -$474,484 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah or American Institute-Clifton?
American Institute-Clifton, at $20,371 a year after aid versus $28,968 — a gap of $8,597 a year, or $34,388 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah or American Institute-Clifton graduates earn more?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah graduates report a median $46,396 ten years after entry, $17,686 more than the $28,710 at American Institute-Clifton. 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, Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah or American Institute-Clifton?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah: its completers carry a median $11,730 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Clifton, a difference of $249. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah, against 57% at American Institute-Clifton. 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.