University of Virginia's College at Wise vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Virginia's College at Wise comes closer — median earnings $45,325 against a $36,840 total, vs $46,441 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,210 | $27,320 |
| Total net cost | $36,840 | $109,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,325 | $46,441 |
| Median debt | $16,750 | $31,959 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$97,540 | -$147,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Virginia's College at Wise or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?
University of Virginia's College at Wise, at $9,210 a year after aid versus $27,320 — a gap of $18,110 a year, or $72,440 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 Virginia's College at Wise or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas graduates report a median $46,441 ten years after entry, $1,116 more than the $45,325 at University of Virginia's College at Wise. 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 Virginia's College at Wise or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas?
University of Virginia's College at Wise: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $31,959 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, a difference of $15,209. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas, against 47% at University of Virginia's College at Wise. 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.