Head-to-head comparison
Walden University vs Anoka Technical 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 Anoka, MN
Anoka Technical College
- Net price / year
- $16,953
- Earnings, 10 years
- $47,746
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anoka Technical College comes closer — median earnings $47,746 against a $67,812 total, vs $42,810 at Walden University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walden University | Anoka Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,817 | $16,953 |
| Total net cost | $135,268 | $67,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,810 | $47,746 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,268 | -$80,092 |
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 Technical College?
Anoka Technical College, at $16,953 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $16,864 a year, or $67,456 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 Technical College graduates earn more?
Anoka Technical College graduates report a median $47,746 ten years after entry, $4,936 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 Technical College?
Anoka Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Walden University, a difference of $9,834. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.