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Danville Community College vs Advanced Technology Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Danville VA · vs · Private for-profit, Virginia Beach VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Advanced Technology Institute comes closer — median earnings $46,342 against a $65,432 total, vs $31,664 at Danville Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDanville Community CollegeAdvanced Technology Institute
Net price / yr$6,669$16,358
Total net cost$26,676$65,432
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,664$46,342
Median debt$9,000$14,873
Payback
20-year net return-$360,596-$105,792

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

Which is cheaper, Danville Community College or Advanced Technology Institute?

Danville Community College, at $6,669 a year after aid versus $16,358 — a gap of $9,689 a year, or $38,756 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Danville Community College or Advanced Technology Institute graduates earn more?

Advanced Technology Institute graduates report a median $46,342 ten years after entry, $14,678 more than the $31,664 at Danville Community 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, Danville Community College or Advanced Technology Institute?

Danville Community College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $14,873 at Advanced Technology Institute, a difference of $5,873. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Advanced Technology Institute, against 39% at Danville Community 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.

Danville Community College vs Advanced Technology Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Danville Community College or Advanced Technology Institute a better value?
Advanced Technology Institute 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, Danville Community College or Advanced Technology Institute?
Danville Community College: $6,669/yr net price after aid versus $16,358/yr at Advanced Technology Institute — a difference of $9,689 a year, or about $38,756 over four years.
Do Danville Community College or Advanced Technology Institute graduates earn more?
Advanced Technology Institute graduates earn a median $46,342 ten years after entry, versus $31,664 at Danville Community College — a $14,678 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.