Head-to-head comparison
Ferrum College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: which has better ROI?
Option A Ferrum, VA
Ferrum College
- Net price / year
- $20,082
- Earnings, 10 years
- $44,296
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Falls Church, VA
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church
- Net price / year
- $38,690
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,657
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Ferrum College comes closer — median earnings $44,296 against a $80,328 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ferrum College | Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,082 | $38,690 |
| Total net cost | $80,328 | $154,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,296 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$161,608 | -$428,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?
Ferrum College, at $20,082 a year after aid versus $38,690 — a gap of $18,608 a year, or $74,432 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 Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church graduates earn more?
Ferrum College graduates report a median $44,296 ten years after entry, $9,639 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church. 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, Ferrum College or Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church?
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ferrum College, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.