Kentucky State University vs ATA College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kentucky State University comes closer — median earnings $36,382 against a $32,160 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Kentucky State University | ATA College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,040 | $28,611 |
| Total net cost | $32,160 | $57,222 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,382 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $25,938 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$271,720 | -$332,882 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Kentucky State University or ATA College?
Kentucky State University, at $8,040 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $20,571 a year, or $25,062 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Kentucky State University or ATA College graduates earn more?
Kentucky State University graduates report a median $36,382 ten years after entry, $1,805 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, Kentucky State University or ATA College?
ATA College: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $25,938 at Kentucky State University, a difference of $4,908. 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 32% at Kentucky State University. 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.