Head-to-head comparison
American InterContinental University-Atlanta vs Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?
Option A Atlanta, GA
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
- Net price / year
- $16,482
- Earnings, 10 years
- $36,144
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Athens, GA
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology
- Net price / year
- $14,397
- Earnings, 10 years
- $21,432
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American InterContinental University-Atlanta comes closer — median earnings $36,144 against a $65,928 total, vs $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American InterContinental University-Atlanta | Georgia Institute of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,482 | $14,397 |
| Total net cost | $65,928 | $57,588 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,144 | $21,432 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $11,273 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$310,248 | -$596,148 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, at $14,397 a year after aid versus $16,482 — a gap of $2,085 a year, or $8,340 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
American InterContinental University-Atlanta graduates report a median $36,144 ten years after entry, $14,712 more than the $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, American InterContinental University-Atlanta or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $11,273 in federal loans versus $31,000 at American InterContinental University-Atlanta, a difference of $19,727. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, against 21% at American InterContinental University-Atlanta. 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.