Athens Technical College vs Life University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Life University comes closer — median earnings $47,397 against a $119,164 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Life University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $29,791 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $119,164 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $47,397 |
| Median debt | — | $16,666 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$138,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Life University?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $29,791 — a gap of $22,842 a year, or $91,368 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 Life University graduates earn more?
Life University graduates report a median $47,397 ten years after entry, $11,446 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 38% at Life University. 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.