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Brightpoint Community College vs American National University: which has better ROI?

Public, Chester VA · vs · Private for-profit, Salem VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Brightpoint Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,223 against a $21,960 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBrightpoint Community CollegeAmerican National University
Net price / yr$5,490$18,036
Total net cost$21,960$36,072
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,223$26,370
Median debt$9,500$12,814
Payback
20-year net return-$164,700-$475,872

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

Which is cheaper, Brightpoint Community College or American National University?

Brightpoint Community College, at $5,490 a year after aid versus $18,036 — a gap of $12,546 a year, or $14,112 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Brightpoint Community College or American National University graduates earn more?

Brightpoint Community College graduates report a median $41,223 ten years after entry, $14,853 more than the $26,370 at American National University. 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, Brightpoint Community College or American National University?

Brightpoint Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $12,814 at American National University, a difference of $3,314. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

38% of students finish at Brightpoint Community College, against 33% at American National University. 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.

Brightpoint Community College vs American National University: frequently asked questions

Is Brightpoint Community College or American National University a better value?
Brightpoint Community 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, Brightpoint Community College or American National University?
Brightpoint Community College: $5,490/yr net price after aid versus $18,036/yr at American National University — a difference of $12,546 a year, or about $14,112 over four years.
Do Brightpoint Community College or American National University graduates earn more?
Brightpoint Community College graduates earn a median $41,223 ten years after entry, versus $26,370 at American National University — a $14,853 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.