Virginia Highlands Community College vs American National University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Virginia Highlands Community College comes closer — median earnings $32,681 against a $21,500 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Highlands Community College | American National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,375 | $18,036 |
| Total net cost | $21,500 | $36,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,681 | $26,370 |
| Median debt | — | $12,814 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$335,080 | -$475,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Highlands Community College or American National University?
Virginia Highlands Community College, at $5,375 a year after aid versus $18,036 — a gap of $12,661 a year, or $14,572 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Virginia Highlands Community College or American National University graduates earn more?
Virginia Highlands Community College graduates report a median $32,681 ten years after entry, $6,311 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 graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Virginia Highlands Community College, 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.