Degree Dividend
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Athens Technical College vs South University-Savannah: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Private for-profit, Savannah 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 $34,421 at South University-Savannah. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeSouth University-Savannah
Net price / yr$6,949$28,743
Total net cost$27,796$114,972
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$34,421
Median debt$26,123
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$393,752

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or South University-Savannah?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $28,743 — a gap of $21,794 a year, or $87,176 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 University-Savannah graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $1,530 more than the $34,421 at South University-Savannah. 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 9% at South University-Savannah. 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 South University-Savannah: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or South University-Savannah 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 South University-Savannah?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $28,743/yr at South University-Savannah — a difference of $21,794 a year, or about $87,176 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or South University-Savannah graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $34,421 at South University-Savannah — a $1,530 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.