Albany Technical College vs Shorter University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Shorter University comes closer — median earnings $44,604 against a $66,584 total, vs $30,541 at Albany Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Albany Technical College | Shorter University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,524 | $16,646 |
| Total net cost | $18,096 | $66,584 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,541 | $44,604 |
| Median debt | $12,412 | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$374,476 | -$141,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Albany Technical College or Shorter University?
Albany Technical College, at $4,524 a year after aid versus $16,646 — a gap of $12,122 a year, or $48,488 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 Shorter University graduates earn more?
Shorter University graduates report a median $44,604 ten years after entry, $14,063 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 Shorter University?
Albany Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,412 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Shorter University, a difference of $12,588. 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 38% at Shorter 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.