Degree Dividend
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Valencia College vs Atlantic Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Orlando FL · vs · Public, Coconut Creek FL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Valencia College comes closer — median earnings $40,594 against a $48,148 total, vs $38,560 at Atlantic Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureValencia CollegeAtlantic Technical College
Net price / yr$12,037$10,414
Total net cost$48,148$41,656
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,594$38,560
Median debt$9,300
Payback
20-year net return-$203,468-$237,656

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

Which is cheaper, Valencia College or Atlantic Technical College?

Atlantic Technical College, at $10,414 a year after aid versus $12,037 — a gap of $1,623 a year, or $6,492 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Valencia College or Atlantic Technical College graduates earn more?

Valencia College graduates report a median $40,594 ten years after entry, $2,034 more than the $38,560 at Atlantic 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?

65% of students finish at Atlantic Technical College, against 48% at Valencia 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.

Valencia College vs Atlantic Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Valencia College or Atlantic Technical College a better value?
Valencia College 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, Valencia College or Atlantic Technical College?
Atlantic Technical College: $10,414/yr net price after aid versus $12,037/yr at Valencia College — a difference of $1,623 a year, or about $6,492 over four years.
Do Valencia College or Atlantic Technical College graduates earn more?
Valencia College graduates earn a median $40,594 ten years after entry, versus $38,560 at Atlantic Technical College — a $2,034 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.