Degree Dividend
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Tom P. Haney Technical College vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?

Public, Panama City FL · vs · Private for-profit, Spring Hill FL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but ATA Career Education comes closer — median earnings $34,577 against a $113,000 total, vs $28,254 at Tom P. Haney Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTom P. Haney Technical CollegeATA Career Education
Net price / yr$9,099$28,250
Total net cost$36,396$113,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$28,254$34,577
Median debt$21,030
Payback
20-year net return-$438,516-$388,660

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Tom P. Haney Technical College or ATA Career Education?

Tom P. Haney Technical College, at $9,099 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $19,151 a year, or $76,604 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Tom P. Haney Technical College or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?

ATA Career Education graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $6,323 more than the $28,254 at Tom P. Haney 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?

67% of students finish at ATA Career Education, against 61% at Tom P. Haney 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.

Tom P. Haney Technical College vs ATA Career Education: frequently asked questions

Is Tom P. Haney Technical College or ATA Career Education a better value?
ATA Career Education comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Tom P. Haney Technical College or ATA Career Education?
Tom P. Haney Technical College: $9,099/yr net price after aid versus $28,250/yr at ATA Career Education — a difference of $19,151 a year, or about $76,604 over four years.
Do Tom P. Haney Technical College or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
ATA Career Education graduates earn a median $34,577 ten years after entry, versus $28,254 at Tom P. Haney Technical College — a $6,323 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.