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American InterContinental University-Atlanta vs Fortis College-Smyrna: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Atlanta GA · vs · Private for-profit, Smyrna GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American InterContinental University-Atlanta comes closer — median earnings $36,144 against a $65,928 total, vs $36,368 at Fortis College-Smyrna. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican InterContinental University-AtlantaFortis College-Smyrna
Net price / yr$16,482$23,657
Total net cost$65,928$94,628
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,144$36,368
Median debt$31,000$12,547
Payback
20-year net return-$310,248-$334,468

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Fortis College-Smyrna?

American InterContinental University-Atlanta, at $16,482 a year after aid versus $23,657 — a gap of $7,175 a year, or $28,700 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Fortis College-Smyrna graduates earn more?

Fortis College-Smyrna graduates report a median $36,368 ten years after entry, $224 more than the $36,144 at American InterContinental University-Atlanta. 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, American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Fortis College-Smyrna?

Fortis College-Smyrna: its completers carry a median $12,547 in federal loans versus $31,000 at American InterContinental University-Atlanta, a difference of $18,453. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

59% of students finish at Fortis College-Smyrna, against 21% at American InterContinental University-Atlanta. 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.

American InterContinental University-Atlanta vs Fortis College-Smyrna: frequently asked questions

Is American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Fortis College-Smyrna a better value?
American InterContinental University-Atlanta comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Fortis College-Smyrna?
American InterContinental University-Atlanta: $16,482/yr net price after aid versus $23,657/yr at Fortis College-Smyrna — a difference of $7,175 a year, or about $28,700 over four years.
Do American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Fortis College-Smyrna graduates earn more?
Fortis College-Smyrna graduates earn a median $36,368 ten years after entry, versus $36,144 at American InterContinental University-Atlanta — a $224 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.