Degree Dividend
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Athens Technical College vs Coastal Pines Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Public, Waycross GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Athens Technical College comes closer — median earnings $35,951 against a $27,796 total, vs $30,214 at Coastal Pines Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeCoastal Pines Technical College
Net price / yr$6,949-$126
Total net cost$27,796-$504
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$30,214
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$362,416

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Coastal Pines Technical College?

Coastal Pines Technical College, at -$126 a year after aid versus $6,949 — a gap of $7,075 a year, or $28,300 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 Coastal Pines Technical College graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $5,737 more than the $30,214 at Coastal Pines 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 48% at Coastal Pines Technical 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.

Athens Technical College vs Coastal Pines Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or Coastal Pines Technical College a better value?
Athens Technical College 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, Athens Technical College or Coastal Pines Technical College?
Coastal Pines Technical College: -$126/yr net price after aid versus $6,949/yr at Athens Technical College — a difference of $7,075 a year, or about $28,300 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or Coastal Pines Technical College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $30,214 at Coastal Pines Technical College — a $5,737 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.