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Athens Technical College vs Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Private for-profit, Marietta 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 $31,914 at Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeLincoln College of Technology-Marietta
Net price / yr$6,949$30,801
Total net cost$27,796$123,204
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$31,914
Median debt$10,521
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$452,124

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $30,801 — a gap of $23,852 a year, or $95,408 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 Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $4,037 more than the $31,914 at Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta. 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?

64% of students finish at Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta, 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.

Athens Technical College vs Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta 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 Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $30,801/yr at Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta — a difference of $23,852 a year, or about $95,408 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $31,914 at Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta — a $4,037 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.