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

Public, Athens GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Macon GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Wesleyan College comes closer — median earnings $44,317 against a $50,896 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeWesleyan College
Net price / yr$6,949$12,724
Total net cost$27,796$50,896
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$44,317
Median debt$24,094
Payback
20-year net return-$275,976-$131,756

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

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or Wesleyan College?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $12,724 — a gap of $5,775 a year, or $23,100 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 Wesleyan College graduates earn more?

Wesleyan College graduates report a median $44,317 ten years after entry, $8,366 more than the $35,951 at Athens 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 45% at Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan College: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or Wesleyan College a better value?
Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan College?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $12,724/yr at Wesleyan College — a difference of $5,775 a year, or about $23,100 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or Wesleyan College graduates earn more?
Wesleyan College graduates earn a median $44,317 ten years after entry, versus $35,951 at Athens Technical College — a $8,366 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.