American National University-Louisville vs PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American National University-Louisville comes closer — median earnings $28,188 against a $34,020 total, vs $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American National University-Louisville | PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,010 | $26,577 |
| Total net cost | $34,020 | $106,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $28,188 | $20,392 |
| Median debt | $23,618 | $7,917 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$437,460 | -$665,668 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American National University-Louisville or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?
American National University-Louisville, at $17,010 a year after aid versus $26,577 — a gap of $9,567 a year, or $72,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do American National University-Louisville or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green graduates earn more?
American National University-Louisville graduates report a median $28,188 ten years after entry, $7,796 more than the $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, American National University-Louisville or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?
PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $23,618 at American National University-Louisville, a difference of $15,701. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green, against 50% at American National University-Louisville. 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.