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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk comes closer — median earnings $44,173 against a $92,184 total, vs $40,092 at Strayer University-Virginia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureStrayer University-VirginiaAviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
Net price / yr$19,578$23,046
Total net cost$78,312$92,184
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,092$44,173
Median debt$40,621$29,375
Payback
20-year net return-$243,672-$175,924

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-Norfolk?

Strayer University-Virginia, at $19,578 a year after aid versus $23,046 — a gap of $3,468 a year, or $13,872 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-Norfolk graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates report a median $44,173 ten years after entry, $4,081 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-Norfolk?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk: its completers carry a median $29,375 in federal loans versus $40,621 at Strayer University-Virginia, a difference of $11,246. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk, 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-Norfolk: frequently asked questions

Is Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk 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-Norfolk?
Strayer University-Virginia: $19,578/yr net price after aid versus $23,046/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk — a difference of $3,468 a year, or about $13,872 over four years.
Do Strayer University-Virginia or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk graduates earn a median $44,173 ten years after entry, versus $40,092 at Strayer University-Virginia — a $4,081 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.