ATA College vs Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but ATA College comes closer — median earnings $34,577 against a $57,222 total, vs $20,156 at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ATA College | Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,611 | $22,871 |
| Total net cost | $57,222 | $91,484 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,577 | $20,156 |
| Median debt | $21,030 | $11,600 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$332,882 | -$655,564 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, ATA College or Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education?
Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education, at $22,871 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $5,740 a year, or $34,262 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do ATA College or Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education graduates earn more?
ATA College graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $14,421 more than the $20,156 at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education. 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, ATA College or Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education?
Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education: its completers carry a median $11,600 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College, a difference of $9,430. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education, against 46% at ATA 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.