Patrick & Henry Community College vs Advanced Technology Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Advanced Technology Institute comes closer — median earnings $46,342 against a $65,432 total, vs $33,323 at Patrick & Henry Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Patrick & Henry Community College | Advanced Technology Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,102 | $16,358 |
| Total net cost | $8,204 | $65,432 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $33,323 | $46,342 |
| Median debt | — | $14,873 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$308,944 | -$105,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Patrick & Henry Community College or Advanced Technology Institute?
Patrick & Henry Community College, at $4,102 a year after aid versus $16,358 — a gap of $12,256 a year, or $57,228 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Patrick & Henry Community College or Advanced Technology Institute graduates earn more?
Advanced Technology Institute graduates report a median $46,342 ten years after entry, $13,019 more than the $33,323 at Patrick & Henry Community 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 graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Advanced Technology Institute, against 42% at Patrick & Henry Community 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.