Virginia Western Community College vs American National University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Virginia Western Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,787 against a $19,864 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Virginia Western Community College | American National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,966 | $18,036 |
| Total net cost | $19,864 | $36,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,787 | $26,370 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $12,814 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$211,324 | -$475,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Virginia Western Community College or American National University?
Virginia Western Community College, at $4,966 a year after aid versus $18,036 — a gap of $13,070 a year, or $16,208 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 Western Community College or American National University graduates earn more?
Virginia Western Community College graduates report a median $38,787 ten years after entry, $12,417 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 Western Community College or American National University?
Virginia Western Community College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $12,814 at American National University, a difference of $1,814. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Virginia Western 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.