Radford M Locklin Technical College vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Radford M Locklin Technical College comes closer — median earnings $35,997 against a $3,948 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Radford M Locklin Technical College | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $987 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $3,948 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,997 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$251,208 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Radford M Locklin Technical College or ATA Career Education?
Radford M Locklin Technical College, at $987 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $27,263 a year, or $109,052 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Radford M Locklin Technical College or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
Radford M Locklin Technical College graduates report a median $35,997 ten years after entry, $1,420 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 63% at Radford M Locklin Technical 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.