ATA College is a private for-profit institution offering associate degrees based in El Cajon, California. It enrolls 80 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
76/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes96
Value24
Affordability63
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, ATA College generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending ATA College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $19,157 per year. That's below the typical net price for private for-profit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$19,157
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
86%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
75%
Borrowing to attend
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$18,739
$30,001 – $48,000
$18,934
$48,001 – $75,000
$20,138
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,06910%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$5,500Medianpercentile
$6,60075%percentile
$8,20090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Dependent students $5,500
—
Independent students $6,145
↑ $645
Female students $5,500
—
Male students $5,500
—
What this means:
Aid reaches the majority of students: 86% receive Pell grants. If your family qualifies for Pell, the actual cost to you is likely far below the average.
Graduation Rate & Retention
90% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
90%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered ATA College earn a median of $35,017 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$35,017
Earning > $25K
60%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$1.8 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
ATA College is home to 80 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 67% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
80
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
67%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 41.3%33
White 32.5%26
Black 23.8%19
Asian 1.3%1
Other 1.3%1
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at ATA College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbEl Cajon, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
65%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Continuousscheduling structure
What You Can Study
ATA College offers
a focused set of programs:
4 distinct programs across
4 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at ATA College is 18:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
18:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Avg Faculty Salary
$56,250
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Pros & Cons of ATA College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how ATA College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Open admissions
Tight-knit, close community feel
Strong first-year retention
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
Low typical debt at graduation
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Most students take on federal loans
For-profit institution, verify accreditation and outcomes carefully
Best for:
Based on the data, ATA College is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about ATA College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about ATA College.
Is ATA College hard to get into?
ATA College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at ATA College?
ATA College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does ATA College cost?
The average net price after aid at ATA College is $19,157 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is ATA College worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $35,017 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $19,157 per year. That's roughly 1.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is ATA College known for?
ATA College is best known for its programs in Heating, Medical Assisting, Computer Engineering Tech. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do ATA College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering ATA College are $35,017, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is ATA College accredited?
Yes. ATA College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
How many students attend ATA College?
ATA College enrolls 80 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is ATA College a public or private college?
ATA College is a Private For-Profit institution.
Where is ATA College located?
ATA College is located in El Cajon, California.
What programs does ATA College offer?
ATA College offers 4 distinct programs. The most popular include Heating, Medical Assisting, Computer Engineering Tech.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at ATA College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at ATA College is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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