ATA Career Education is a private, for-profit institution located in Spring Hill, you could try these out Florida, approximately 45 miles north of Tampa. Founded in 1994, the school originally focused on information technology before shifting its focus entirely to allied health programs in 2003 . With a total enrollment of approximately 200 students, ATA Career Education is a small, career-focused school offering certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs in healthcare fields.
Note: ATA Career Education is distinct from Athens Technical College in Georgia, a public technical college, and from Athens State University in Alabama.
Institutional Profile and History
ATA Career Education was established in 1994 as a private proprietary college . The school’s roots were in information technology, but in the fall of 2003, a strategic decision was made to focus entirely on allied health programming and to seek accreditation . By fall 2005, the school had gained accreditation status with the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) .
The institution has operated under multiple names over the years. It was known as ATA Career Education, and in a 2018 announcement from its Kentucky location, the allied health school officially changed its name to ATA College . The Spring Hill, Florida campus continues to operate under the ATA Career Education name. The school is located at 7351 Spring Hill Drive, Suite 11, in a midsize suburban setting .
Academic Programs
ATA Career Education offers a focused slate of allied health programs. According to NCES data, the institution offers certificates of less than two years, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees . The school reports offering programs in nine majors .
The primary programs offered at the Spring Hill campus include :
- Practical Nursing – The largest program by enrollment, preparing students for licensure as practical nurses
- Registered Nursing – An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program
- Medical Assisting – Administrative and clinical training for physician offices
- Dental Assisting – Chairside training for dental practices
- Limited Medical Radiography – Training in radiographic imaging
- Medical Coding – Training in medical billing and coding systems
- Medical Office Professional – Administrative healthcare training
- Phlebotomy – An 8-month program training students in blood collection techniques
The school operates on a quarter system and offers day and evening classes designed for working adults. Most programs include opportunities for externships, click site providing hands-on experience in real healthcare settings . ATA also provides students with lifetime graduate career services .
Accreditation
ATA Career Education is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education . The nursing programs hold additional specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) .
Student Body and Demographics
ATA Career Education is a very small institution. Fall 2024 enrollment totaled 201 students, all undergraduate . The student body is overwhelmingly female (91–94%) and has an average age of 28 . Over half of students (54.4%) are first-generation college students .
The racial and ethnic composition of the student body is diverse: approximately 35% Black or African American, 29% White, 19% Hispanic or Latino, and 8% two or more races . The student-to-faculty ratio is reported between 15:1 and 20:1 .
Costs and Financial Aid
For the 2024-2025 academic year, annual tuition at ATA Career Education is **$14,895** for both in-state and out-of-state students. Books and supplies add approximately $3,756, bringing the cost of attendance to approximately $18,006 for commuter students .
The average net price after financial aid is reported at approximately $26,290 according to College Scorecard data .
Financial aid is heavily utilized. According to 2023-2024 data, 97% of students receive federal grants, averaging $3,975, and **97% take out federal loans**, averaging $6,706 . The median debt at graduation is $15,834 (federal loans only) . Pell Grant recipients make up 92% of the student body .
Outcomes and Student Experience
Graduation and retention data present a mixed picture. The six-year graduation rate is 66.7%, which is above the national average for similar institutions . The retention rate is reported at 100% . Median earnings ten years after enrollment are $34,577 .
Student reviews and complaints provide additional perspective. The Better Business Bureau lists one customer review for ATA Career Education with a 1-star rating. The reviewer, a veteran who completed his program using GI Bill benefits, alleged that the school charged a $200 per semester general fee without clear explanation and withheld his degree and transcripts due to an outstanding balance . The BBB profile shows zero customer complaints filed through the BBB system, though the review itself expresses significant dissatisfaction .
Conclusion
ATA Career Education occupies a narrow niche in Florida’s postsecondary landscape: a very small, for-profit allied health school focused on practical training for entry-level healthcare careers. Its strengths include ABHES accreditation, a 67% graduation rate, and programs designed for working adults with day and evening classes. However, prospective students should weigh several considerations carefully: the high average net price relative to median earnings ten years post-enrollment ($34,577), the heavy reliance on federal loans among students, and the limited program breadth of a school with only 200 students. For those seeking focused, hands-on training in nursing, medical assisting, or dental assisting within a short timeframe, try this site ATA Career Education offers an accessible pathway—but thorough due diligence on costs, outcomes, and program fit is essential before enrolling.