Fred K Marchman Technical College vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fred K Marchman Technical College comes closer — median earnings $30,259 against a $19,524 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Fred K Marchman Technical College | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,881 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $19,524 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,259 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$381,544 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Fred K Marchman Technical College or ATA Career Education?
Fred K Marchman Technical College, at $4,881 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $23,369 a year, or $93,476 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Fred K Marchman Technical College or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
ATA Career Education graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $4,318 more than the $30,259 at Fred K Marchman 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?
71% of students finish at Fred K Marchman Technical College, against 67% at ATA Career Education. 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.