Head-to-head comparison
Nova Southeastern University vs National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay: which has better ROI?
Option A Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nova Southeastern University
- Net price / year
- $30,371
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,209
- Payback
- 11.2 yrs
Option B Clearwater, FL
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay
- Net price / year
- $27,476
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,029
- Payback
- 10.3 yrs
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $109,904 in 10.3 years versus 11.2 years at Nova Southeastern University, on median earnings of $59,029 vs $59,209 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Nova Southeastern University | National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,371 | $27,476 |
| Total net cost | $121,484 | $109,904 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,209 | $59,029 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $22,000 |
| Payback | 11.2 yrs | 10.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $95,496 | $103,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Nova Southeastern University or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay?
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay, at $27,476 a year after aid versus $30,371 — a gap of $2,895 a year, or $11,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Nova Southeastern University or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay graduates earn more?
Nova Southeastern University graduates report a median $59,209 ten years after entry, $180 more than the $59,029 at National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Nova Southeastern University or National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay?
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay: its completers carry a median $22,000 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Nova Southeastern University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay, against 63% at Nova Southeastern 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.