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Bluegrass Community and Technical College vs ATA College: which has better ROI?

Public, Lexington KY · vs · Private for-profit, Louisville KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bluegrass Community and Technical College comes closer — median earnings $36,343 against a $24,452 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBluegrass Community and Technical CollegeATA College
Net price / yr$6,113$28,611
Total net cost$24,452$57,222
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,343$34,577
Median debt$10,500$21,030
Payback
20-year net return-$264,792-$332,882

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

Which is cheaper, Bluegrass Community and Technical College or ATA College?

Bluegrass Community and Technical College, at $6,113 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $22,498 a year, or $32,770 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bluegrass Community and Technical College or ATA College graduates earn more?

Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates report a median $36,343 ten years after entry, $1,766 more than the $34,577 at ATA 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 leaves students with less debt, Bluegrass Community and Technical College or ATA College?

Bluegrass Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College, a difference of $10,530. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

46% of students finish at ATA College, against 43% at Bluegrass Community and 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.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College vs ATA College: frequently asked questions

Is Bluegrass Community and Technical College or ATA College a better value?
Bluegrass Community and 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, Bluegrass Community and Technical College or ATA College?
Bluegrass Community and Technical College: $6,113/yr net price after aid versus $28,611/yr at ATA College — a difference of $22,498 a year, or about $32,770 over four years.
Do Bluegrass Community and Technical College or ATA College graduates earn more?
Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates earn a median $36,343 ten years after entry, versus $34,577 at ATA College — a $1,766 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.