Degree Dividend
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Athens Technical College vs Herzing University-Atlanta: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Atlanta 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 $36,909 at Herzing University-Atlanta. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeHerzing University-Atlanta
Net price / yr$6,949$21,679
Total net cost$27,796$86,716
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$36,909
Median debt$21,500
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$315,736

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Herzing University-Atlanta?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $21,679 — a gap of $14,730 a year, or $58,920 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 Herzing University-Atlanta graduates earn more?

Herzing University-Atlanta graduates report a median $36,909 ten years after entry, $958 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 14% at Herzing University-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.

Athens Technical College vs Herzing University-Atlanta: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or Herzing University-Atlanta 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 Herzing University-Atlanta?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $21,679/yr at Herzing University-Atlanta — a difference of $14,730 a year, or about $58,920 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or Herzing University-Atlanta graduates earn more?
Herzing University-Atlanta graduates earn a median $36,909 ten years after entry, versus $35,951 at Athens Technical College — a $958 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.