Head-to-head comparison
Strayer University-Virginia vs American National University: which has better ROI?
Option A Arlington, VA
Strayer University-Virginia
- Net price / year
- $19,578
- Earnings, 10 years
- $40,092
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Salem, VA
American National University
- Net price / year
- $18,036
- Earnings, 10 years
- $26,370
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Strayer University-Virginia comes closer — median earnings $40,092 against a $78,312 total, vs $26,370 at American National University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Strayer University-Virginia | American National University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,578 | $18,036 |
| Total net cost | $78,312 | $36,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,092 | $26,370 |
| Median debt | $40,621 | $12,814 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$243,672 | -$475,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Strayer University-Virginia or American National University?
American National University, at $18,036 a year after aid versus $19,578 — a gap of $1,542 a year, or $42,240 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 Strayer University-Virginia or American National University graduates earn more?
Strayer University-Virginia graduates report a median $40,092 ten years after entry, $13,722 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, Strayer University-Virginia or American National University?
American National University: its completers carry a median $12,814 in federal loans versus $40,621 at Strayer University-Virginia, a difference of $27,807. 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?
36% of students finish at Strayer University-Virginia, 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.