Head-to-head comparison
American National University vs South University-Virginia Beach: which has better ROI?
Option A Salem, VA
American National University
- Net price / year
- $18,036
- Earnings, 10 years
- $26,370
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Virginia Beach, VA
South University-Virginia Beach
- Net price / year
- $27,843
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,421
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South University-Virginia Beach comes closer — median earnings $34,421 against a $111,372 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American National University | South University-Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,036 | $27,843 |
| Total net cost | $36,072 | $111,372 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $26,370 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $12,814 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$475,872 | -$390,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, American National University or South University-Virginia Beach?
American National University, at $18,036 a year after aid versus $27,843 — a gap of $9,807 a year, or $75,300 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 or South University-Virginia Beach graduates earn more?
South University-Virginia Beach graduates report a median $34,421 ten years after entry, $8,051 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, American National University or South University-Virginia Beach?
American National University: its completers carry a median $12,814 in federal loans versus $26,123 at South University-Virginia Beach, a difference of $13,309. 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?
33% of students finish at American National University, against 8% at South University-Virginia Beach. 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.