Athens Technical College vs Atlanta Metropolitan State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Athens Technical College comes closer — median earnings $35,951 against a $27,796 total, vs $33,252 at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Atlanta Metropolitan State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $5,258 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $10,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $33,252 |
| Median debt | — | $14,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$312,676 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Atlanta Metropolitan State College?
Atlanta Metropolitan State College, at $5,258 a year after aid versus $6,949 — a gap of $1,691 a year, or $17,280 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Athens Technical College or Atlanta Metropolitan State College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $2,699 more than the $33,252 at Atlanta Metropolitan State 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 graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Athens Technical College, against 17% at Atlanta Metropolitan State 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.