Degree Dividend
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Atlantic Technical College vs South University-West Palm Beach: which has better ROI?

Public, Coconut Creek FL · vs · Private for-profit, Royal Palm Beach FL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Atlantic Technical College comes closer — median earnings $38,560 against a $41,656 total, vs $34,421 at South University-West Palm Beach. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAtlantic Technical CollegeSouth University-West Palm Beach
Net price / yr$10,414$20,271
Total net cost$41,656$81,084
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,560$34,421
Median debt$26,123
Payback
20-year net return-$237,656-$359,864

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

Which is cheaper, Atlantic Technical College or South University-West Palm Beach?

Atlantic Technical College, at $10,414 a year after aid versus $20,271 — a gap of $9,857 a year, or $39,428 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 South University-West Palm Beach graduates earn more?

Atlantic Technical College graduates report a median $38,560 ten years after entry, $4,139 more than the $34,421 at South University-West Palm Beach. 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?

65% of students finish at Atlantic Technical College, against 18% at South University-West Palm Beach. 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.

Atlantic Technical College vs South University-West Palm Beach: frequently asked questions

Is Atlantic Technical College or South University-West Palm Beach a better value?
Atlantic 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, Atlantic Technical College or South University-West Palm Beach?
Atlantic Technical College: $10,414/yr net price after aid versus $20,271/yr at South University-West Palm Beach — a difference of $9,857 a year, or about $39,428 over four years.
Do Atlantic Technical College or South University-West Palm Beach graduates earn more?
Atlantic Technical College graduates earn a median $38,560 ten years after entry, versus $34,421 at South University-West Palm Beach — a $4,139 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.