Head-to-head comparison
Walden University vs Anoka-Ramsey Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Minneapolis, MN
Walden University
- Net price / year
- $33,817
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,810
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Coon Rapids, MN
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
- Net price / year
- $16,434
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,342
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anoka-Ramsey Community College comes closer — median earnings $48,342 against a $32,868 total, vs $42,810 at Walden University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walden University | Anoka-Ramsey Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,817 | $16,434 |
| Total net cost | $135,268 | $32,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,810 | $48,342 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $13,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,268 | -$33,228 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Walden University or Anoka-Ramsey Community College?
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, at $16,434 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $17,383 a year, or $102,400 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 Walden University or Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates earn more?
Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates report a median $48,342 ten years after entry, $5,532 more than the $42,810 at Walden 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, Walden University or Anoka-Ramsey Community College?
Anoka-Ramsey Community College: its completers carry a median $13,500 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Walden University, a difference of $7,334. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.