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Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar vs National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Miramar FL · vs · Private for-profit, Clearwater FL

The verdict

National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $109,904 in 10.3 years versus 12.7 years at Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar, on median earnings of $59,029 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversal Technical Institute-South Florida MiramarNational Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay
Net price / yr$28,759$27,476
Total net cost$57,518$109,904
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,873$59,029
Median debt$13,124$22,000
Payback12.7 yrs10.3 yrs
20-year net return$32,742$103,476

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

Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay?

National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay, at $27,476 a year after aid versus $28,759 — a gap of $1,283 a year, or $52,386 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-South Florida Miramar or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay graduates earn more?

National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay graduates report a median $59,029 ten years after entry, $6,156 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar. 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-South Florida Miramar or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay?

Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $22,000 at National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay, a difference of $8,876. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

76% of students finish at National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay, against 70% at Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar. 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.

Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar vs National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay: frequently asked questions

Is Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay a better value?
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay. It clears its $109,904 net cost in about 10.3 years versus 12.7 years at Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar, on median earnings of $59,029 vs $52,873 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay?
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay: $27,476/yr net price after aid versus $28,759/yr at Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar — a difference of $1,283 a year, or about $52,386 over four years.
Do Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay graduates earn more?
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay graduates earn a median $59,029 ten years after entry, versus $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-South Florida Miramar — a $6,156 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.