Degree Dividend
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Athens Technical College vs Southeastern Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Public, Vidalia 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 $30,329 at Southeastern Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeSoutheastern Technical College
Net price / yr$6,949$10,612
Total net cost$27,796$42,448
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$30,329
Median debt$5,750
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$403,068

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Southeastern Technical College?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $10,612 — a gap of $3,663 a year, or $14,652 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 Southeastern Technical College graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $5,622 more than the $30,329 at Southeastern 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 Southeastern 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 Southeastern Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or Southeastern Technical College 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 Southeastern Technical College?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $10,612/yr at Southeastern Technical College — a difference of $3,663 a year, or about $14,652 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or Southeastern Technical College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $30,329 at Southeastern Technical College — a $5,622 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.