Tri-County Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?
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 $32,232 at Tri-County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Tri-County Community College | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,799 | $25,733 |
| Total net cost | $15,598 | $102,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,232 | $42,759 |
| Median debt | — | $29,773 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$338,158 | -$214,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Tri-County Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Tri-County Community College, at $7,799 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $17,934 a year, or $87,334 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Tri-County 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, $10,527 more than the $32,232 at Tri-County 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 54% at Tri-County 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.