Saint Edward's University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston: which has better ROI?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $94,116 in 9.4 years versus 9.8 years at Saint Edward's University, on median earnings of $58,327 vs $58,826 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Edward's University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,578 | $23,529 |
| Total net cost | $102,312 | $94,116 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,826 | $58,327 |
| Median debt | $24,803 | $31,875 |
| Payback | 9.8 yrs | 9.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $107,008 | $105,224 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Edward's University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, at $23,529 a year after aid versus $25,578 — a gap of $2,049 a year, or $8,196 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Edward's University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates earn more?
Saint Edward's University graduates report a median $58,826 ten years after entry, $499 more than the $58,327 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston. 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, Saint Edward's University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?
Saint Edward's University: its completers carry a median $24,803 in federal loans versus $31,875 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, a difference of $7,072. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, against 63% at Saint Edward's 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.