Virginia State University vs Advanced Technology Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Advanced Technology Institute comes closer — median earnings $46,342 against a $65,432 total, vs $45,543 at Virginia State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia State University | Advanced Technology Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,840 | $16,358 |
| Total net cost | $63,360 | $65,432 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,543 | $46,342 |
| Median debt | $26,500 | $14,873 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$119,700 | -$105,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia State University or Advanced Technology Institute?
Virginia State University, at $15,840 a year after aid versus $16,358 — a gap of $518 a year, or $2,072 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Virginia State University or Advanced Technology Institute graduates earn more?
Advanced Technology Institute graduates report a median $46,342 ten years after entry, $799 more than the $45,543 at Virginia State University. 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 leaves students with less debt, Virginia State University or Advanced Technology Institute?
Advanced Technology Institute: its completers carry a median $14,873 in federal loans versus $26,500 at Virginia State University, a difference of $11,627. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Advanced Technology Institute, against 39% at Virginia State University. 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.