Athens Technical College vs Paul Mitchell the School-Esani: 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 $26,287 at Paul Mitchell the School-Esani. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | Paul Mitchell the School-Esani |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $18,522 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $74,088 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $26,287 |
| Median debt | — | $9,833 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$515,548 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Paul Mitchell the School-Esani?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $18,522 — a gap of $11,573 a year, or $46,292 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Esani graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $9,664 more than the $26,287 at Paul Mitchell the School-Esani. 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?
77% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Esani, 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.