Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Strayer University-Virginia vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Arlington VA · vs · Private for-profit, Manassas VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas comes closer — median earnings $46,441 against a $109,280 total, vs $40,092 at Strayer University-Virginia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureStrayer University-VirginiaAviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas
Net price / yr$19,578$27,320
Total net cost$78,312$109,280
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,092$46,441
Median debt$40,621$31,959
Payback
20-year net return-$243,672-$147,660

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

Which is cheaper, Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?

Strayer University-Virginia, at $19,578 a year after aid versus $27,320 — a gap of $7,742 a year, or $30,968 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates report a median $46,441 ten years after entry, $6,349 more than the $40,092 at Strayer University-Virginia. 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, Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas: its completers carry a median $31,959 in federal loans versus $40,621 at Strayer University-Virginia, a difference of $8,662. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

82% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, against 36% at Strayer University-Virginia. 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.

Strayer University-Virginia vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas: frequently asked questions

Is Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas 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, Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?
Strayer University-Virginia: $19,578/yr net price after aid versus $27,320/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas — a difference of $7,742 a year, or about $30,968 over four years.
Do Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn a median $46,441 ten years after entry, versus $40,092 at Strayer University-Virginia — a $6,349 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.