South University-Savannah Online vs Athens Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Athens Technical College comes closer — median earnings $35,951 against a $27,796 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | South University-Savannah Online | Athens Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,049 | $6,949 |
| Total net cost | $112,196 | $27,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,421 | $35,951 |
| Median debt | $26,123 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$390,976 | -$275,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, South University-Savannah Online or Athens Technical College?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $28,049 — a gap of $21,100 a year, or $84,400 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do South University-Savannah Online or Athens Technical College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $1,530 more than the $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online. 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?
51% of students finish at Athens Technical College, against 7% at South University-Savannah Online. 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.