Nichols College vs National Aviation Academy of New England: which has better ROI?
National Aviation Academy of New England has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,484 in 10.5 years versus 13.6 years at Nichols College, on median earnings of $59,009 vs $58,063 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Nichols College | National Aviation Academy of New England |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,036 | $27,871 |
| Total net cost | $132,144 | $111,484 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,063 | $59,009 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $21,198 |
| Payback | 13.6 yrs | 10.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $61,916 | $101,496 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Nichols College or National Aviation Academy of New England?
National Aviation Academy of New England, at $27,871 a year after aid versus $33,036 — a gap of $5,165 a year, or $20,660 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Nichols College or National Aviation Academy of New England graduates earn more?
National Aviation Academy of New England graduates report a median $59,009 ten years after entry, $946 more than the $58,063 at Nichols College. 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, Nichols College or National Aviation Academy of New England?
National Aviation Academy of New England: its completers carry a median $21,198 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Nichols College, a difference of $5,802. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at National Aviation Academy of New England, against 63% at Nichols 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.