Winston-Salem State University vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Winston-Salem State University comes closer — median earnings $45,344 against a $53,916 total, vs $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Winston-Salem State University | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,479 | $25,733 |
| Total net cost | $53,916 | $102,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,344 | $42,759 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $29,773 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$114,236 | -$214,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Winston-Salem State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Winston-Salem State University, at $13,479 a year after aid versus $25,733 — a gap of $12,254 a year, or $49,016 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Winston-Salem State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Winston-Salem State University graduates report a median $45,344 ten years after entry, $2,585 more than the $42,759 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. 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, Winston-Salem State University or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte?
Winston-Salem State University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $29,773 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, a difference of $4,773. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte, against 47% at Winston-Salem State 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.