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Middlesex College vs American Institute-Somerset: which has better ROI?

Public, Edison NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Somerset NJ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Middlesex College comes closer — median earnings $46,861 against a $4,576 total, vs $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMiddlesex CollegeAmerican Institute-Somerset
Net price / yr$2,288$20,464
Total net cost$4,576$81,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,861$28,710
Median debt$9,750$11,979
Payback
20-year net return-$34,556-$474,856

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Middlesex College or American Institute-Somerset?

Middlesex College, at $2,288 a year after aid versus $20,464 — a gap of $18,176 a year, or $77,280 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Middlesex College or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?

Middlesex College graduates report a median $46,861 ten years after entry, $18,151 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, Middlesex College or American Institute-Somerset?

Middlesex College: its completers carry a median $9,750 in federal loans versus $11,979 at American Institute-Somerset, a difference of $2,229. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at American Institute-Somerset, against 33% at Middlesex 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.

Middlesex College vs American Institute-Somerset: frequently asked questions

Is Middlesex College or American Institute-Somerset a better value?
Middlesex College 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, Middlesex College or American Institute-Somerset?
Middlesex College: $2,288/yr net price after aid versus $20,464/yr at American Institute-Somerset — a difference of $18,176 a year, or about $77,280 over four years.
Do Middlesex College or American Institute-Somerset graduates earn more?
Middlesex College graduates earn a median $46,861 ten years after entry, versus $28,710 at American Institute-Somerset — a $18,151 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.