Athens Technical College vs Fortis College-Smyrna: 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 $36,368 at Fortis College-Smyrna. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Fortis College-Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $23,657 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $94,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $36,368 |
| Median debt | — | $12,547 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$334,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Fortis College-Smyrna?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $23,657 — a gap of $16,708 a year, or $66,832 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 Fortis College-Smyrna graduates earn more?
Fortis College-Smyrna graduates report a median $36,368 ten years after entry, $417 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?
59% of students finish at Fortis College-Smyrna, against 51% at Athens 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.