Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg comes closer — median earnings $36,188 against a $94,480 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,620 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $94,480 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,188 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$337,920 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg or ATA Career Education?
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg, at $23,620 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $4,630 a year, or $18,520 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg graduates report a median $36,188 ten years after entry, $1,611 more than the $34,577 at ATA Career Education. 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?
67% of students finish at ATA Career Education, against 60% at Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg. 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.