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William Woods University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Fulton MO · vs · Private for-profit, Kansas City MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but William Woods University comes closer — median earnings $42,401 against a $106,276 total, vs $40,743 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWilliam Woods UniversityAviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City
Net price / yr$26,569$26,815
Total net cost$106,276$107,260
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,401$40,743
Median debt$21,983$30,416
Payback
20-year net return-$225,456-$259,600

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

Which is cheaper, William Woods University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City?

William Woods University, at $26,569 a year after aid versus $26,815 — a gap of $246 a year, or $984 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do William Woods University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City graduates earn more?

William Woods University graduates report a median $42,401 ten years after entry, $1,658 more than the $40,743 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City. 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, William Woods University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City?

William Woods University: its completers carry a median $21,983 in federal loans versus $30,416 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City, a difference of $8,433. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City, against 47% at William Woods University. 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.

William Woods University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City: frequently asked questions

Is William Woods University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City a better value?
William Woods University 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, William Woods University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City?
William Woods University: $26,569/yr net price after aid versus $26,815/yr at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City — a difference of $246 a year, or about $984 over four years.
Do William Woods University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City graduates earn more?
William Woods University graduates earn a median $42,401 ten years after entry, versus $40,743 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City — a $1,658 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.