Clark Atlanta University vs Albany Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Clark Atlanta University comes closer — median earnings $42,712 against a $150,808 total, vs $30,541 at Albany Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Clark Atlanta University | Albany Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,702 | $4,524 |
| Total net cost | $150,808 | $18,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,712 | $30,541 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $12,412 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$263,768 | -$374,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Clark Atlanta University or Albany Technical College?
Albany Technical College, at $4,524 a year after aid versus $37,702 — a gap of $33,178 a year, or $132,712 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Clark Atlanta University or Albany Technical College graduates earn more?
Clark Atlanta University graduates report a median $42,712 ten years after entry, $12,171 more than the $30,541 at Albany 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 leaves students with less debt, Clark Atlanta University or Albany Technical College?
Albany Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,412 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Clark Atlanta University, a difference of $14,588. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at Clark Atlanta University, against 42% at Albany 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.