Virginia Peninsula Community College vs American National University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Virginia Peninsula Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,996 against a $14,024 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Peninsula Community College | American National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,012 | $18,036 |
| Total net cost | $14,024 | $36,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,996 | $26,370 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $12,814 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$221,304 | -$475,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Peninsula Community College or American National University?
Virginia Peninsula Community College, at $7,012 a year after aid versus $18,036 — a gap of $11,024 a year, or $22,048 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 Peninsula Community College or American National University graduates earn more?
Virginia Peninsula Community College graduates report a median $37,996 ten years after entry, $11,626 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, Virginia Peninsula Community College or American National University?
Virginia Peninsula Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $12,814 at American National University, a difference of $3,314. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Virginia Peninsula 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.