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Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Lisle IL · vs · Private for-profit, Chicago IL

The verdict

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $109,388 in 22 years versus 24 years at Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, on median earnings of $53,341 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversal Technical Institute of Illinois IncAviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
Net price / yr$27,060$27,347
Total net cost$108,240$109,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,873$53,341
Median debt$13,124$31,301
Payback24 yrs22 yrs
20-year net return-$17,980-$9,768

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

Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago?

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, at $27,060 a year after aid versus $27,347 — a gap of $287 a year, or $1,148 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago graduates report a median $53,341 ten years after entry, $468 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc. 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, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago?

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $31,301 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago, a difference of $18,177. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago: frequently asked questions

Is Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago. It clears its $109,388 net cost in about 22 years versus 24 years at Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, on median earnings of $53,341 vs $52,873 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago?
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc: $27,060/yr net price after aid versus $27,347/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago — a difference of $287 a year, or about $1,148 over four years.
Do Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago graduates earn a median $53,341 ten years after entry, versus $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc — a $468 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.