Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Big Sandy Community and Technical College vs American National University-Louisville: which has better ROI?

Public, Prestonsburg KY · vs · Private for-profit, Louisville KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Big Sandy Community and Technical College comes closer — median earnings $32,954 against a $15,492 total, vs $28,188 at American National University-Louisville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureBig Sandy Community and Technical CollegeAmerican National University-Louisville
Net price / yr$3,873$17,010
Total net cost$15,492$34,020
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,954$28,188
Median debt$9,357$23,618
Payback
20-year net return-$323,612-$437,460

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

Which is cheaper, Big Sandy Community and Technical College or American National University-Louisville?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College, at $3,873 a year after aid versus $17,010 — a gap of $13,137 a year, or $18,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Big Sandy Community and Technical College or American National University-Louisville graduates earn more?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College graduates report a median $32,954 ten years after entry, $4,766 more than the $28,188 at American National University-Louisville. 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, Big Sandy Community and Technical College or American National University-Louisville?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,357 in federal loans versus $23,618 at American National University-Louisville, a difference of $14,261. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at American National University-Louisville, against 38% at Big Sandy Community and Technical 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.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College vs American National University-Louisville: frequently asked questions

Is Big Sandy Community and Technical College or American National University-Louisville a better value?
Big Sandy Community and Technical 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, Big Sandy Community and Technical College or American National University-Louisville?
Big Sandy Community and Technical College: $3,873/yr net price after aid versus $17,010/yr at American National University-Louisville — a difference of $13,137 a year, or about $18,528 over four years.
Do Big Sandy Community and Technical College or American National University-Louisville graduates earn more?
Big Sandy Community and Technical College graduates earn a median $32,954 ten years after entry, versus $28,188 at American National University-Louisville — a $4,766 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.