Orange Technical College-West Campus vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but ATA Career Education comes closer — median earnings $34,577 against a $113,000 total, vs $25,145 at Orange Technical College-West Campus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Orange Technical College-West Campus | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,700 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $54,800 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $25,145 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$519,100 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Orange Technical College-West Campus or ATA Career Education?
Orange Technical College-West Campus, at $13,700 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $14,550 a year, or $58,200 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Orange Technical College-West Campus or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
ATA Career Education graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $9,432 more than the $25,145 at Orange Technical College-West Campus. 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 graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Orange Technical College-West Campus, against 67% at ATA Career Education. 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.