Athens Technical College vs Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta comes closer — median earnings $48,191 against a $109,460 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $27,365 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $109,460 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $48,191 |
| Median debt | — | $31,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$112,840 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $27,365 — a gap of $20,416 a year, or $81,664 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 Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta graduates earn more?
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Atlanta graduates report a median $48,191 ten years after entry, $12,240 more than the $35,951 at Athens 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 graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Athens Technical College, against 46% at Aviation Institute of Maintenance-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.