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Robeson Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte comes closer — median earnings $42,759 against a $102,932 total, vs $29,036 at Robeson Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRobeson Community CollegeAviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Net price / yr$2,892$25,733
Total net cost$5,784$102,932
Median earnings, 10 yrs$29,036$42,759
Median debt$29,773
Payback
20-year net return-$392,264-$214,952

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

Which is cheaper, Robeson Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?

Robeson Community College, at $2,892 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $22,841 a year, or $97,148 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Robeson Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates report a median $42,759 ten years after entry, $13,723 more than the $29,036 at Robeson Community 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 graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, against 33% at Robeson Community 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.

Robeson Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: frequently asked questions

Is Robeson Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte 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, Robeson Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Robeson Community College: $2,892/yr net price after aid versus $25,733/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte — a difference of $22,841 a year, or about $97,148 over four years.
Do Robeson Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn a median $42,759 ten years after entry, versus $29,036 at Robeson Community College — a $13,723 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.