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

Public, Charlottesville VA · vs · Private for-profit, Falls Church VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Piedmont Virginia Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,752 against a $11,926 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePiedmont Virginia Community CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Falls Church
Net price / yr$5,963$38,690
Total net cost$11,926$154,760
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,752$34,657
Median debt$8,750$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$164,086-$428,820

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

Which is cheaper, Piedmont Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?

Piedmont Virginia Community College, at $5,963 a year after aid versus $38,690 — a gap of $32,727 a year, or $142,834 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Piedmont Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?

Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates report a median $40,752 ten years after entry, $6,095 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, Piedmont Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?

Piedmont Virginia Community College: its completers carry a median $8,750 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Piedmont Virginia Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: frequently asked questions

Is Piedmont Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church a better value?
Piedmont Virginia 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, Piedmont Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?
Piedmont Virginia Community College: $5,963/yr net price after aid versus $38,690/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church — a difference of $32,727 a year, or about $142,834 over four years.
Do Piedmont Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?
Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates earn a median $40,752 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church — a $6,095 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.