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Hopkinsville Community College vs ATA College: which has better ROI?

Public, Hopkinsville KY · vs · Private for-profit, Louisville KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hopkinsville Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,323 against a $23,500 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHopkinsville Community CollegeATA College
Net price / yr$5,875$28,611
Total net cost$23,500$57,222
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,323$34,577
Median debt$10,691$21,030
Payback
20-year net return-$264,240-$332,882

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

Which is cheaper, Hopkinsville Community College or ATA College?

Hopkinsville Community College, at $5,875 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $22,736 a year, or $33,722 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hopkinsville Community College or ATA College graduates earn more?

Hopkinsville Community College graduates report a median $36,323 ten years after entry, $1,746 more than the $34,577 at ATA 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, Hopkinsville Community College or ATA College?

Hopkinsville Community College: its completers carry a median $10,691 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College, a difference of $10,339. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

46% of students finish at ATA College, against 45% at Hopkinsville 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.

Hopkinsville Community College vs ATA College: frequently asked questions

Is Hopkinsville Community College or ATA College a better value?
Hopkinsville Community College 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, Hopkinsville Community College or ATA College?
Hopkinsville Community College: $5,875/yr net price after aid versus $28,611/yr at ATA College — a difference of $22,736 a year, or about $33,722 over four years.
Do Hopkinsville Community College or ATA College graduates earn more?
Hopkinsville Community College graduates earn a median $36,323 ten years after entry, versus $34,577 at ATA College — a $1,746 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.