For-Profit Private
Accredited · Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Virginia Beach, Virginia
61% Acceptance Rate
Advanced Technology Institute — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
61%Acceptance Rate
$25,540Annual Cost
$46,342Grad Salary
35.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
61%
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
35.5% receive Pell
Advanced Technology Institute, founded in 1982 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a career-focused school specializing in automotive and HVAC trades. Known for hands-on training, it features industry-standard workshops and accelerated diploma programs.
ATI prepares students for technical careers through employer partnerships and practical coursework, emphasizing immediate job readiness in high-demand fields.
Advanced Technology Institute Acceptance Rate
Advanced Technology Institute is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Advanced Technology Institute is 61%. This means that 61 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 61% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at ATI
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Advanced Technology Institute's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into ATI Without SAT or ACT?
Advanced Technology Institute does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ATI
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
ATI is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Prep for the Wonderlic SLE, not a GPA review
ATI's admissions process for some applicants centers on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE), a timed aptitude test, rather than a GPA or essay-based review - this is a fundamentally different gate than a typical college application. Practice general aptitude/reasoning test formats beforehand; a weak showing on the SLE, not a thin transcript, is the more common reason marginal applicants get placed in a different program track than they wanted.
Target the Liebherr Co-Op or Pit Crew Program at intake, not after enrolling
ATI is the exclusive college co-op partner of Liebherr North America (construction machinery) and runs a Pit Crew Program placing students with a professional racing team at Langley Speedway for a full season. These aren't things you apply to separately later - mention your interest in heavy equipment/diesel or motorsports specifically during your admissions interview, since instructors use early-declared interest to route strong candidates into these employer-facing placements.
Pick program length deliberately - diploma vs. AAS is a real fork, not a formality
Most ATI programs (Automotive, Diesel, HVAC, Welding, Industrial Maintenance) offer a 15-month diploma or an 18-month Associate's, and the Trades Leadership track lets you add 15 more weeks onto a completed program for a second AAS. If you have any ambition of supervisory/leadership roles or later transferring credit, apply into the AAS track from day one - switching from diploma to degree-track later can mean repeating scheduling and financial-aid paperwork that a same-day enrollment decision avoids.
Lean on the "Opportunity College" and employer-partner list in your interview
ATI was named a 2025 Carnegie/ACE "Opportunity College," and its posted employer partners (Audi, Ford, GM, Cummins, Bridgestone, BAE Systems, Hampton Roads Transit, among ~50 others) reflect direct placement pipelines rather than generic career-services claims. Ask specifically which of these partners recruit from your intended program (e.g., Cummins/Western Branch Diesel for diesel techs, Audi/Mercedes-Benz of Virginia Beach for automotive) - this is a level of specificity most applicants never ask for and it signals genuine program research to the admissions interviewer.
Expert Insight:
ATI's admission is functionally a background check plus an aptitude assessment, not a competitive academic review - the real failure pattern here isn't a weak application, it's applicants who don't realize ATI shares administrative and recruiting infrastructure with ECPI University (its corporate parent) and therefore assume broader ECPI degree pathways or transfer credit apply automatically. Confirm in writing which specific accreditation (ACCSC) and credit-transfer rules govern your ATI program before assuming credits will move to a four-year ECPI or outside degree.
ATI Profile
Full Name
Advanced Technology Institute (ATI)
City
Virginia Beach
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
23462
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Is a ATI Degree Worth It?
Getting into ATI can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. ATI offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at ATI is $60,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.97%.
How much does a degree from ATI Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Advanced Technology Institute is $25,540. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Advanced Technology Institute is much less than this.
35.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 29.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to ATI and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Advanced Technology Institute, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist ATI as your choice in the form.
How much does a ATI Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $46,342. An average ATI graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at ATI
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Advanced Technology Institute →
Frequently Asked Questions About ATI Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $46,342 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $25,540 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
35.5% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Advanced Technology Institute is 61% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.