University of Virginia's College at Wise vs American National University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Virginia's College at Wise comes closer — median earnings $45,325 against a $36,840 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Virginia's College at Wise | American National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,210 | $18,036 |
| Total net cost | $36,840 | $36,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,325 | $26,370 |
| Median debt | $16,750 | $12,814 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$97,540 | -$475,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Virginia's College at Wise or American National University?
University of Virginia's College at Wise, at $9,210 a year after aid versus $18,036 — a gap of $8,826 a year, or $768 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Virginia's College at Wise or American National University graduates earn more?
University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates report a median $45,325 ten years after entry, $18,955 more than the $26,370 at American National University. 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, University of Virginia's College at Wise or American National University?
American National University: its completers carry a median $12,814 in federal loans versus $16,750 at University of Virginia's College at Wise, a difference of $3,936. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at University of Virginia's College at Wise, against 33% at American National University. 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.