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Pennsylvania Institute of Technology vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Media PA · vs · Private for-profit, Philadelphia PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia comes closer — median earnings $42,785 against a $101,748 total, vs $35,703 at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePennsylvania Institute of TechnologyAviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia
Net price / yr$17,850$25,437
Total net cost$71,400$101,748
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,703$42,785
Median debt$16,500$32,397
Payback
20-year net return-$324,540-$213,248

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

Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, at $17,850 a year after aid versus $25,437 — a gap of $7,587 a year, or $30,348 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Pennsylvania Institute of Technology or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates report a median $42,785 ten years after entry, $7,082 more than the $35,703 at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. 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, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $16,500 in federal loans versus $32,397 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, a difference of $15,897. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, against 21% at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. 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.

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia: frequently asked questions

Is Pennsylvania Institute of Technology or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia 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, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology: $17,850/yr net price after aid versus $25,437/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia — a difference of $7,587 a year, or about $30,348 over four years.
Do Pennsylvania Institute of Technology or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn a median $42,785 ten years after entry, versus $35,703 at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology — a $7,082 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.