Head-to-head comparison
American National University-Louisville vs PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: which has better ROI?
Option A Louisville, KY
American National University-Louisville
- Net price / year
- $17,010
- Earnings, 10 years
- $28,188
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Bowling Green, KY
PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green
- Net price / year
- $26,577
- Earnings, 10 years
- $20,392
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American National University-Louisville comes closer — median earnings $28,188 against a $34,020 total, vs $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American National University-Louisville | PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,010 | $26,577 |
| Total net cost | $34,020 | $106,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $28,188 | $20,392 |
| Median debt | $23,618 | $7,917 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$437,460 | -$665,668 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, American National University-Louisville or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?
American National University-Louisville, at $17,010 a year after aid versus $26,577 — a gap of $9,567 a year, or $72,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do American National University-Louisville or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green graduates earn more?
American National University-Louisville graduates report a median $28,188 ten years after entry, $7,796 more than the $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, American National University-Louisville or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?
PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $23,618 at American National University-Louisville, a difference of $15,701. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green, against 50% at American National University-Louisville. 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.