Degree Dividend
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West Georgia Technical College vs Athens Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Waco GA · vs · Public, Athens GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but West Georgia Technical College comes closer — median earnings $35,479 against a $9,828 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWest Georgia Technical CollegeAthens Technical College
Net price / yr$2,457$6,949
Total net cost$9,828$27,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,479$35,951
Median debt$11,110
Payback
20-year net return-$267,448-$275,976

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

Which is cheaper, West Georgia Technical College or Athens Technical College?

West Georgia Technical College, at $2,457 a year after aid versus $6,949 — a gap of $4,492 a year, or $17,968 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do West Georgia Technical College or Athens Technical College graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $472 more than the $35,479 at West Georgia 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?

51% of students finish at Athens Technical College, against 35% at West Georgia 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.

West Georgia Technical College vs Athens Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is West Georgia Technical College or Athens Technical College a better value?
West Georgia Technical 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, West Georgia Technical College or Athens Technical College?
West Georgia Technical College: $2,457/yr net price after aid versus $6,949/yr at Athens Technical College — a difference of $4,492 a year, or about $17,968 over four years.
Do West Georgia Technical College or Athens Technical College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $35,479 at West Georgia Technical College — a $472 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.