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North Carolina A & T State University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?

Public, Greensboro NC · vs · Private for-profit, Charlotte NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Carolina A & T State University comes closer — median earnings $44,440 against a $43,384 total, vs $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorth Carolina A & T State UniversityAviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Net price / yr$10,846$25,733
Total net cost$43,384$102,932
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,440$42,759
Median debt$27,000$29,773
Payback
20-year net return-$121,784-$214,952

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

Which is cheaper, North Carolina A & T State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?

North Carolina A & T State University, at $10,846 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $14,887 a year, or $59,548 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do North Carolina A & T State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?

North Carolina A & T State University graduates report a median $44,440 ten years after entry, $1,681 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, North Carolina A & T State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?

North Carolina A & T State University: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $29,773 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, a difference of $2,773. 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 57% at North Carolina A & T State 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.

North Carolina A & T State University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: frequently asked questions

Is North Carolina A & T State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte a better value?
North Carolina A & T State University 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, North Carolina A & T State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
North Carolina A & T State University: $10,846/yr net price after aid versus $25,733/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte — a difference of $14,887 a year, or about $59,548 over four years.
Do North Carolina A & T State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
North Carolina A & T State University graduates earn a median $44,440 ten years after entry, versus $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte — a $1,681 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.