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Ferrum College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Ferrum VA · vs · Private for-profit, Falls Church VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Ferrum College comes closer — median earnings $44,296 against a $80,328 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFerrum CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Falls Church
Net price / yr$20,082$38,690
Total net cost$80,328$154,760
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,296$34,657
Median debt$27,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$161,608-$428,820

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

Which is cheaper, Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?

Ferrum College, at $20,082 a year after aid versus $38,690 — a gap of $18,608 a year, or $74,432 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?

Ferrum College graduates report a median $44,296 ten years after entry, $9,639 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. 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, Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?

Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ferrum College, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Ferrum College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: frequently asked questions

Is Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church a better value?
Ferrum 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, Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?
Ferrum College: $20,082/yr net price after aid versus $38,690/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church — a difference of $18,608 a year, or about $74,432 over four years.
Do Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?
Ferrum College graduates earn a median $44,296 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church — a $9,639 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.