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Athens Technical College vs United Education Institute-Stone Mountain: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Private for-profit, Stone Mountain 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 $27,688 at United Education Institute-Stone Mountain. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeUnited Education Institute-Stone Mountain
Net price / yr$6,949$32,174
Total net cost$27,796$128,696
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$27,688
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$542,136

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or United Education Institute-Stone Mountain?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $32,174 — a gap of $25,225 a year, or $100,900 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 United Education Institute-Stone Mountain graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $8,263 more than the $27,688 at United Education Institute-Stone Mountain. 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?

56% of students finish at United Education Institute-Stone Mountain, 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 United Education Institute-Stone Mountain: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or United Education Institute-Stone Mountain 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 United Education Institute-Stone Mountain?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $32,174/yr at United Education Institute-Stone Mountain — a difference of $25,225 a year, or about $100,900 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or United Education Institute-Stone Mountain graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $27,688 at United Education Institute-Stone Mountain — a $8,263 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.