Edward Waters University vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Edward Waters University comes closer — median earnings $34,782 against a $54,596 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Edward Waters University | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,649 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $54,596 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,782 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$326,156 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Edward Waters University or ATA Career Education?
Edward Waters University, at $13,649 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $14,601 a year, or $58,404 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Edward Waters University or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
Edward Waters University graduates report a median $34,782 ten years after entry, $205 more than the $34,577 at ATA Career Education. 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?
67% of students finish at ATA Career Education, against 28% at Edward Waters University. 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.