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University of Dallas vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Irving TX · vs · Private for-profit, Houston TX

The verdict

University of Dallas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,440 in 9.1 years versus 9.4 years at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, on median earnings of $58,285 vs $58,327 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of DallasAviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston
Net price / yr$22,610$23,529
Total net cost$90,440$94,116
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,285$58,327
Median debt$23,117$31,875
Payback9.1 yrs9.4 yrs
20-year net return$108,060$105,224

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

Which is cheaper, University of Dallas or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?

University of Dallas, at $22,610 a year after aid versus $23,529 — a gap of $919 a year, or $3,676 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Dallas or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates report a median $58,327 ten years after entry, $42 more than the $58,285 at University of Dallas. 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, University of Dallas or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?

University of Dallas: its completers carry a median $23,117 in federal loans versus $31,875 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, a difference of $8,758. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, against 73% at University of Dallas. 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.

University of Dallas vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston: frequently asked questions

Is University of Dallas or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston a better value?
University of Dallas. It clears its $90,440 net cost in about 9.1 years versus 9.4 years at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, on median earnings of $58,285 vs $58,327 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Dallas or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?
University of Dallas: $22,610/yr net price after aid versus $23,529/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston — a difference of $919 a year, or about $3,676 over four years.
Do University of Dallas or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates earn a median $58,327 ten years after entry, versus $58,285 at University of Dallas — a $42 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.