Jefferson Community and Technical College vs ATA College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jefferson Community and Technical College comes closer — median earnings $38,171 against a $25,504 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Jefferson Community and Technical College | ATA College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,376 | $28,611 |
| Total net cost | $25,504 | $57,222 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,171 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $11,651 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$229,284 | -$332,882 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Jefferson Community and Technical College or ATA College?
Jefferson Community and Technical College, at $6,376 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $22,235 a year, or $31,718 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Jefferson Community and Technical College or ATA College graduates earn more?
Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates report a median $38,171 ten years after entry, $3,594 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, Jefferson Community and Technical College or ATA College?
Jefferson Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,651 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College, a difference of $9,379. 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 35% at Jefferson Community and Technical 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.