Athens Technical College vs Georgia Career Institute: 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 $23,686 at Georgia Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Georgia Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $14,966 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $59,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $23,686 |
| Median debt | — | $7,735 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$553,344 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Georgia Career Institute?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $14,966 — a gap of $8,017 a year, or $32,068 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 Georgia Career Institute graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $12,265 more than the $23,686 at Georgia Career Institute. 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?
69% of students finish at Georgia Career Institute, 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.