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Kentucky Wesleyan College vs American National University-Louisville: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Owensboro KY · vs · Private for-profit, Louisville KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kentucky Wesleyan College comes closer — median earnings $46,747 against a $68,524 total, vs $28,188 at American National University-Louisville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureKentucky Wesleyan CollegeAmerican National University-Louisville
Net price / yr$17,131$17,010
Total net cost$68,524$34,020
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,747$28,188
Median debt$23,250$23,618
Payback
20-year net return-$100,784-$437,460

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

Which is cheaper, Kentucky Wesleyan College or American National University-Louisville?

American National University-Louisville, at $17,010 a year after aid versus $17,131 — a gap of $121 a year, or $34,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Kentucky Wesleyan College or American National University-Louisville graduates earn more?

Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates report a median $46,747 ten years after entry, $18,559 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, Kentucky Wesleyan College or American National University-Louisville?

Kentucky Wesleyan College: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $23,618 at American National University-Louisville, a difference of $368. 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 47% at Kentucky Wesleyan 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.

Kentucky Wesleyan College vs American National University-Louisville: frequently asked questions

Is Kentucky Wesleyan College or American National University-Louisville a better value?
Kentucky Wesleyan 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, Kentucky Wesleyan College or American National University-Louisville?
American National University-Louisville: $17,010/yr net price after aid versus $17,131/yr at Kentucky Wesleyan College — a difference of $121 a year, or about $34,504 over four years.
Do Kentucky Wesleyan College or American National University-Louisville graduates earn more?
Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates earn a median $46,747 ten years after entry, versus $28,188 at American National University-Louisville — a $18,559 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.