College of the Atlantic vs Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of the Atlantic comes closer — median earnings $40,264 against a $100,736 total, vs $27,803 at Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of the Atlantic | Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,184 | $29,953 |
| Total net cost | $100,736 | $119,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,264 | $27,803 |
| Median debt | $25,050 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$262,656 | -$530,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of the Atlantic or Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook?
College of the Atlantic, at $25,184 a year after aid versus $29,953 — a gap of $4,769 a year, or $19,076 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of the Atlantic or Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook graduates earn more?
College of the Atlantic graduates report a median $40,264 ten years after entry, $12,461 more than the $27,803 at Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook. 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, College of the Atlantic or Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook?
Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $25,050 at College of the Atlantic, a difference of $18,717. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook, against 68% at College of the Atlantic. 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.