Degree Dividend
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Mountain Empire Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: which has better ROI?

Public, Big Stone Gap VA · vs · Private for-profit, Falls Church VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mountain Empire Community College comes closer — median earnings $32,622 against a $35,408 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMountain Empire Community CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Falls Church
Net price / yr$8,852$38,690
Total net cost$35,408$154,760
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,622$34,657
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$350,168-$428,820

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

Which is cheaper, Mountain Empire Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?

Mountain Empire Community College, at $8,852 a year after aid versus $38,690 — a gap of $29,838 a year, or $119,352 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Mountain Empire Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?

Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates report a median $34,657 ten years after entry, $2,035 more than the $32,622 at Mountain Empire Community College. 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.

Mountain Empire Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: frequently asked questions

Is Mountain Empire Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church a better value?
Mountain Empire 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, Mountain Empire Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?
Mountain Empire Community College: $8,852/yr net price after aid versus $38,690/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church — a difference of $29,838 a year, or about $119,352 over four years.
Do Mountain Empire Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn a median $34,657 ten years after entry, versus $32,622 at Mountain Empire Community College — a $2,035 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.