Athens Technical College vs South Georgia State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South Georgia State College comes closer — median earnings $35,697 against a $17,534 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Athens Technical College | South Georgia State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,949 | $8,767 |
| Total net cost | $27,796 | $17,534 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,951 | $35,697 |
| Median debt | — | $11,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$275,976 | -$270,794 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or South Georgia State College?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $8,767 — a gap of $1,818 a year, or $10,262 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 South Georgia State College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $254 more than the $35,697 at South Georgia State 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 16% at South Georgia State 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.