University of Fort Lauderdale vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Fort Lauderdale comes closer — median earnings $38,062 against a $79,860 total, vs $34,577 at ATA Career Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Fort Lauderdale | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,965 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $79,860 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,062 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | — | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$285,820 | -$388,660 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Fort Lauderdale or ATA Career Education?
University of Fort Lauderdale, at $19,965 a year after aid versus $28,250 — a gap of $8,285 a year, or $33,140 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Fort Lauderdale or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
University of Fort Lauderdale graduates report a median $38,062 ten years after entry, $3,485 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?
100% of students finish at University of Fort Lauderdale, 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.