Mars Hill University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mars Hill University comes closer — median earnings $44,781 against a $79,640 total, vs $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mars Hill University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,910 | $25,733 |
| Total net cost | $79,640 | $102,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,781 | $42,759 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $29,773 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,220 | -$214,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mars Hill University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Mars Hill University, at $19,910 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $5,823 a year, or $23,292 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mars Hill University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Mars Hill University graduates report a median $44,781 ten years after entry, $2,022 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, Mars Hill University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Mars Hill University: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $29,773 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, a difference of $3,773. 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 45% at Mars Hill University. 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.