Atlantic Technical College vs Ringling College of Art and Design: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Atlantic Technical College comes closer — median earnings $38,560 against a $41,656 total, vs $43,325 at Ringling College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Atlantic Technical College | Ringling College of Art and Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,414 | $57,742 |
| Total net cost | $41,656 | $230,968 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,560 | $43,325 |
| Median debt | — | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$237,656 | -$331,668 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Atlantic Technical College or Ringling College of Art and Design?
Atlantic Technical College, at $10,414 a year after aid versus $57,742 — a gap of $47,328 a year, or $189,312 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Atlantic Technical College or Ringling College of Art and Design graduates earn more?
Ringling College of Art and Design graduates report a median $43,325 ten years after entry, $4,765 more than the $38,560 at Atlantic 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?
72% of students finish at Ringling College of Art and Design, against 65% at Atlantic 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.