Riveroak Technical College vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Riveroak Technical College comes closer — median earnings $31,778 against a $40,572 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Riveroak Technical College | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,143 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $40,572 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,778 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$372,212 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Riveroak Technical College or ATA Career Education?
Riveroak Technical College, at $10,143 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $18,107 a year, or $72,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Riveroak Technical College or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
ATA Career Education graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $2,799 more than the $31,778 at Riveroak Technical 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?
75% of students finish at Riveroak Technical College, 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.