Georgia State University-Perimeter College vs Athens Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Georgia State University-Perimeter College comes closer — median earnings $47,384 against a $22,906 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Georgia State University-Perimeter College | Athens Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,453 | $6,949 |
| Total net cost | $22,906 | $27,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,384 | $35,951 |
| Median debt | $20,903 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$42,426 | -$275,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Athens Technical College?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $11,453 — a gap of $4,504 a year, or $4,890 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Athens Technical College graduates earn more?
Georgia State University-Perimeter College graduates report a median $47,384 ten years after entry, $11,433 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 22% at Georgia State University-Perimeter 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.