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Vance-Granville Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?

Public, Henderson NC · vs · Private for-profit, Charlotte NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte comes closer — median earnings $42,759 against a $102,932 total, vs $34,304 at Vance-Granville Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureVance-Granville Community CollegeAviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Net price / yr$3,286$25,733
Total net cost$6,572$102,932
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,304$42,759
Median debt$29,773
Payback
20-year net return-$287,692-$214,952

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

Which is cheaper, Vance-Granville Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?

Vance-Granville Community College, at $3,286 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $22,447 a year, or $96,360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Vance-Granville Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates report a median $42,759 ten years after entry, $8,455 more than the $34,304 at Vance-Granville Community College. 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 graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, against 53% at Vance-Granville Community College. 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.

Vance-Granville Community College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: frequently asked questions

Is Vance-Granville Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte a better value?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte 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, Vance-Granville Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Vance-Granville Community College: $3,286/yr net price after aid versus $25,733/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte — a difference of $22,447 a year, or about $96,360 over four years.
Do Vance-Granville Community College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn a median $42,759 ten years after entry, versus $34,304 at Vance-Granville Community College — a $8,455 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.