Head-to-head comparison
University of West Florida vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando: which has better ROI?
Option A Pensacola, FL
University of West Florida
- Net price / year
- $9,364
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,137
- Payback
- 48.2 yrs
Option B Casselberry, FL
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando
- Net price / year
- $24,995
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,341
- Payback
- 20.1 yrs
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $99,980 in 20.1 years versus 48.2 years at University of West Florida, on median earnings of $53,341 vs $49,137 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of West Florida | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,364 | $24,995 |
| Total net cost | $37,456 | $99,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,137 | $53,341 |
| Median debt | $16,624 | $31,301 |
| Payback | 48.2 yrs | 20.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$21,916 | -$360 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of West Florida or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando?
University of West Florida, at $9,364 a year after aid versus $24,995 — a gap of $15,631 a year, or $62,524 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 University of West Florida or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando graduates report a median $53,341 ten years after entry, $4,204 more than the $49,137 at University of West Florida. 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, University of West Florida or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando?
University of West Florida: its completers carry a median $16,624 in federal loans versus $31,301 at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando, a difference of $14,677. 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?
83% of students finish at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Orlando, against 59% at University of West Florida. 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.