Albany Technical College vs Atlanta Institute of Music and Media: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Albany Technical College comes closer — median earnings $30,541 against a $18,096 total, vs $31,186 at Atlanta Institute of Music and Media. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Albany Technical College | Atlanta Institute of Music and Media |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,524 | $37,832 |
| Total net cost | $18,096 | $75,664 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,541 | $31,186 |
| Median debt | $12,412 | $15,411 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$374,476 | -$419,144 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Albany Technical College or Atlanta Institute of Music and Media?
Albany Technical College, at $4,524 a year after aid versus $37,832 — a gap of $33,308 a year, or $57,568 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Albany Technical College or Atlanta Institute of Music and Media graduates earn more?
Atlanta Institute of Music and Media graduates report a median $31,186 ten years after entry, $645 more than the $30,541 at Albany Technical 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 leaves students with less debt, Albany Technical College or Atlanta Institute of Music and Media?
Albany Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,412 in federal loans versus $15,411 at Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, a difference of $2,999. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at Albany Technical College, against 33% at Atlanta Institute of Music and Media. 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.