Athens Technical College vs Empire Beauty School-Morrow: 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 $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Morrow. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Empire Beauty School-Morrow |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $16,962 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $67,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | — | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$547,108 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Empire Beauty School-Morrow?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $16,962 — a gap of $10,013 a year, or $40,052 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 Empire Beauty School-Morrow graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $11,554 more than the $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Morrow. 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 29% at Empire Beauty School-Morrow. 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.