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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Madisonville Community College comes closer — median earnings $35,733 against a $21,624 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMadisonville Community CollegeATA College
Net price / yr$5,406$28,611
Total net cost$21,624$57,222
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,733$34,577
Median debt$8,450$21,030
Payback
20-year net return-$274,164-$332,882

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

Which is cheaper, Madisonville Community College or ATA College?

Madisonville Community College, at $5,406 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $23,205 a year, or $35,598 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Madisonville Community College or ATA College graduates earn more?

Madisonville Community College graduates report a median $35,733 ten years after entry, $1,156 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, Madisonville Community College or ATA College?

Madisonville Community College: its completers carry a median $8,450 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College, a difference of $12,580. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Madisonville Community College, against 46% at ATA 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.

Madisonville Community College vs ATA College: frequently asked questions

Is Madisonville Community College or ATA College a better value?
Madisonville 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, Madisonville Community College or ATA College?
Madisonville Community College: $5,406/yr net price after aid versus $28,611/yr at ATA College — a difference of $23,205 a year, or about $35,598 over four years.
Do Madisonville Community College or ATA College graduates earn more?
Madisonville Community College graduates earn a median $35,733 ten years after entry, versus $34,577 at ATA College — a $1,156 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.