University of Houston-Downtown vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston: which has better ROI?
University of Houston-Downtown has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $42,168 in 8.1 years versus 9.4 years at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, on median earnings of $53,551 vs $58,327 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Downtown | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,542 | $23,529 |
| Total net cost | $42,168 | $94,116 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,551 | $58,327 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $31,875 |
| Payback | 8.1 yrs | 9.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $61,652 | $105,224 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston-Downtown or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $23,529 — a gap of $12,987 a year, or $51,948 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 Houston-Downtown or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston graduates report a median $58,327 ten years after entry, $4,776 more than the $53,551 at University of Houston-Downtown. 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 Houston-Downtown or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston?
University of Houston-Downtown: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $31,875 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Houston, a difference of $13,125. 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 33% at University of Houston-Downtown. 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.