Morehead State University vs ATA College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Morehead State University comes closer — median earnings $43,197 against a $39,172 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Morehead State University | ATA College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,793 | $28,611 |
| Total net cost | $39,172 | $57,222 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,197 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$142,432 | -$332,882 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Morehead State University or ATA College?
Morehead State University, at $9,793 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $18,818 a year, or $18,050 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Morehead State University or ATA College graduates earn more?
Morehead State University graduates report a median $43,197 ten years after entry, $8,620 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, Morehead State University or ATA College?
ATA College: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $22,250 at Morehead State University, a difference of $1,220. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at Morehead State University, 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.