Degree Dividend
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Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah vs American Institute-Somerset: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Mahwah NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Somerset NJ

The verdict

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-Somerset. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLincoln Technical Institute-MahwahAmerican Institute-Somerset
Net price / yr$28,968$20,464
Total net cost$115,872$81,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,396$28,710
Median debt$11,730$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$155,152-$474,856

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-Somerset?

American Institute-Somerset, at $20,464 a year after aid versus $28,968 — a gap of $8,504 a year, or $34,016 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-Somerset 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-Somerset. 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-Somerset?

Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah: its completers carry a median $11,730 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Somerset, 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 56% at American Institute-Somerset. 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.

Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah vs American Institute-Somerset: frequently asked questions

Is Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah or American Institute-Somerset a better value?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah 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, Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah or American Institute-Somerset?
American Institute-Somerset: $20,464/yr net price after aid versus $28,968/yr at Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah — a difference of $8,504 a year, or about $34,016 over four years.
Do Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah graduates earn a median $46,396 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset — a $17,686 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.