Albany Technical College vs Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: 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 $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Albany Technical College | Georgia Institute of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,524 | $14,397 |
| Total net cost | $18,096 | $57,588 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,541 | $21,432 |
| Median debt | $12,412 | $11,273 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$374,476 | -$596,148 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Albany Technical College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?
Albany Technical College, at $4,524 a year after aid versus $14,397 — a gap of $9,873 a year, or $39,492 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 Georgia Institute of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
Albany Technical College graduates report a median $30,541 ten years after entry, $9,109 more than the $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology. 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 Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $11,273 in federal loans versus $12,412 at Albany Technical College, a difference of $1,139. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, against 42% at Albany Technical College. 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.