University of Georgia vs Athens Technical College: which has better ROI?
University of Georgia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,744 in 2.7 years versus not at all at Athens Technical College, on median earnings of $68,726 vs $35,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Georgia | Athens Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,936 | $6,949 |
| Total net cost | $55,744 | $27,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,726 | $35,951 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | — |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $351,576 | -$275,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Georgia or Athens Technical College?
Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $13,936 — a gap of $6,987 a year, or $27,948 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 Georgia or Athens Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Georgia graduates report a median $68,726 ten years after entry, $32,775 more than the $35,951 at Athens 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?
90% of students finish at University of Georgia, against 51% at Athens 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.