Dalton State College vs Athens Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Dalton State College comes closer — median earnings $40,251 against a $20,048 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dalton State College | Athens Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,012 | $6,949 |
| Total net cost | $20,048 | $27,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,251 | $35,951 |
| Median debt | $12,937 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$182,228 | -$275,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dalton State College or Athens Technical College?
Dalton State College, at $5,012 a year after aid versus $6,949 — a gap of $1,937 a year, or $7,748 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dalton State College or Athens Technical College graduates earn more?
Dalton State College graduates report a median $40,251 ten years after entry, $4,300 more than the $35,951 at Athens 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?
51% of students finish at Athens Technical College, against 25% at Dalton State 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.