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Head-to-head comparison

Athens Technical College vs South Georgia State College: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens GA · vs · Public, Douglas GA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Athens, GA

Athens Technical College

Net price / year
$6,949
Earnings, 10 years
$35,951
Payback
No payback

Option B Douglas, GA

South Georgia State College

Net price / year
$8,767
Earnings, 10 years
$35,697
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South Georgia State College comes closer — median earnings $35,697 against a $17,534 total, vs $35,951 at Athens Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAthens Technical CollegeSouth Georgia State College
Net price / yr$6,949$8,767
Total net cost$27,796$17,534
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,951$35,697
Median debt—$11,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$275,976-$270,794

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Athens Technical College or South Georgia State College?

Athens Technical College, at $6,949 a year after aid versus $8,767 — a gap of $1,818 a year, or $10,262 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 Athens Technical College or South Georgia State College graduates earn more?

Athens Technical College graduates report a median $35,951 ten years after entry, $254 more than the $35,697 at South Georgia State 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.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

51% of students finish at Athens Technical College, against 16% at South Georgia State 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.

Athens Technical College vs South Georgia State College: frequently asked questions

Is Athens Technical College or South Georgia State College a better value?
South Georgia State 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, Athens Technical College or South Georgia State College?
Athens Technical College: $6,949/yr net price after aid versus $8,767/yr at South Georgia State College — a difference of $1,818 a year, or about $10,262 over four years.
Do Athens Technical College or South Georgia State College graduates earn more?
Athens Technical College graduates earn a median $35,951 ten years after entry, versus $35,697 at South Georgia State College — a $254 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.