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

Public, Cedar Bluff VA · vs · Private for-profit, Falls Church VA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southwest Virginia Community College comes closer — median earnings $34,221 against a $24,020 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthwest Virginia Community CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Falls Church
Net price / yr$6,005$38,690
Total net cost$24,020$154,760
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,221$34,657
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$306,800-$428,820

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

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

Southwest Virginia Community College, at $6,005 a year after aid versus $38,690 — a gap of $32,685 a year, or $130,740 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southwest Virginia 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, $436 more than the $34,221 at Southwest Virginia 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.

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

Is Southwest Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church a better value?
Southwest 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, Southwest Virginia Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?
Southwest Virginia Community College: $6,005/yr net price after aid versus $38,690/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church — a difference of $32,685 a year, or about $130,740 over four years.
Do Southwest Virginia 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 $34,221 at Southwest Virginia Community College — a $436 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.