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University of Valley Forge vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Phoenixville PA · vs · Private for-profit, Philadelphia PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia comes closer — median earnings $42,785 against a $101,748 total, vs $39,016 at University of Valley Forge. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Valley ForgeAviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia
Net price / yr$32,265$25,437
Total net cost$129,060$101,748
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,016$42,785
Median debt$27,000$32,397
Payback
20-year net return-$315,940-$213,248

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

Which is cheaper, University of Valley Forge or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, at $25,437 a year after aid versus $32,265 — a gap of $6,828 a year, or $27,312 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 Valley Forge or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates report a median $42,785 ten years after entry, $3,769 more than the $39,016 at University of Valley Forge. 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 Valley Forge or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?

University of Valley Forge: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $32,397 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, a difference of $5,397. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia, against 49% at University of Valley Forge. 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 Valley Forge vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia: frequently asked questions

Is University of Valley Forge or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, University of Valley Forge or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia: $25,437/yr net price after aid versus $32,265/yr at University of Valley Forge — a difference of $6,828 a year, or about $27,312 over four years.
Do University of Valley Forge or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia graduates earn a median $42,785 ten years after entry, versus $39,016 at University of Valley Forge — a $3,769 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.