Florida State College at Jacksonville vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Florida State College at Jacksonville comes closer — median earnings $42,244 against a $8,256 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Florida State College at Jacksonville | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,128 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $8,256 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,244 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $13,562 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$130,576 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Florida State College at Jacksonville or ATA Career Education?
Florida State College at Jacksonville, at $4,128 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $24,122 a year, or $104,744 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Florida State College at Jacksonville or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates report a median $42,244 ten years after entry, $7,667 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 leaves students with less debt, Florida State College at Jacksonville or ATA Career Education?
Florida State College at Jacksonville: its completers carry a median $13,562 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA Career Education, a difference of $7,468. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at ATA Career Education, against 37% at Florida State College at Jacksonville. 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.