Head-to-head comparison
American National University vs Tidewater Tech-Trades: 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 Norfolk, VA
Tidewater Tech-Trades
- Net price / year
- $26,366
- Earnings, 10 years
- $31,657
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tidewater Tech-Trades comes closer — median earnings $31,657 against a $105,464 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American National University | Tidewater Tech-Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,036 | $26,366 |
| Total net cost | $36,072 | $105,464 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $26,370 | $31,657 |
| Median debt | $12,814 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$475,872 | -$439,524 |
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 Tidewater Tech-Trades?
American National University, at $18,036 a year after aid versus $26,366 — a gap of $8,330 a year, or $69,392 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 Tidewater Tech-Trades graduates earn more?
Tidewater Tech-Trades graduates report a median $31,657 ten years after entry, $5,287 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 Tidewater Tech-Trades?
Tidewater Tech-Trades: 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.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Tidewater Tech-Trades, 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.