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American National University

Private for-profit Salem, VA · Suburban · Southeast · 80% data
B Diversity C Affordability D Social Mobility
Graduation Rate
31% F
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$26,370 F
Below average for college graduates
Net Price
$18,036 C
Close to the national average
Enrollment
630
Earnings -35% vs avg
Graduation -47% vs avg
Net Price 5% vs avg
Mobility Top 79%

Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.2 over 20 years.

8.2× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $8.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $519,552.

What The Data Says

  1. A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduate earnings fall 35% below the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 31% — 47% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $8.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About American National University

American National University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private for-profit College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate College
Enrollment
630
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Health Professions, Legal Studies, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT

Why students choose American National University

Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

D+
Top 72% overall
F
Earnings
$26,370 median
D
Value
1.5× net price
C
Affordability
$18,036/yr net
F
Graduation
31% graduate
D
Social Mobility
1.0% climb Q1→Q5
B
Diversity
0.68 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

At American National University in Salem, Virginia, students can find a supportive environment tailored for those pursuing practical careers. With around 630 enrollees, this school is particularly suited for individuals interested in Health Professions, Legal Studies, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science & IT. The focused approach on these fields means students can dive deep into their chosen area, preparing them for specific roles in the workforce.

When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell an important story. Graduates earn a median salary of $26,370 after ten years, which can be a solid stepping stone for many. The affordability factor is also key here, as 68% of students receive Pell Grants, making it easier for those from lower-income backgrounds to access education and improve their long-term earning potential. While the graduation rate stands at 31%, which indicates that it can be a challenging journey, those who do graduate often find themselves in a better position economically.

The financial aspect is crucial for any student considering their options. After financial aid, the net price to attend American National University is $18,036, with a median debt of $12,814, which is manageable for many graduates. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are focused on career-specific training and who appreciate a more personalized learning environment. This school could be a good fit for those ready to commit to their professional goals and navigate the challenges of higher education with determination.

Can I Get In?

How selective American National University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into American National University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Salem, Virginia, American National University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.

Retention Rate
83%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$4,119
Student–Faculty Ratio
11:1
Diversity Index
0.68
First-Gen Students
59%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend American National University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at American National University is $10,961, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,036. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,281 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,814 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$10,961
Out-of-State
$10,961
Avg Net Price
$18,036
Median Debt
$12,814
Pell Grant Rate
68%
Federal Loan Rate
72%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$17,281
Family Income $30K–$48K
$15,465
Family Income $48K–$75K
$20,692

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at American National University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is American National University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of American National University report median earnings of $26,370, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$23,830
8 Years
$25,768
10 Years
$26,370
Debt-to-Earnings
0.49x
Earning > $25K
30%

Earnings Trajectory

$23,830 6yr $25,768 8yr $26,370 10yr

How American Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation31%Earnings 10yr$26KNet Price$18KRetention83%Median Debt$13KPell Grant Rate68%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$17K$0-30K$15K$30-48K$21K$48-75K

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%29.3%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%3.3%MOBILITY0.97%

College ROI Calculator

Is American National University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, American National University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,036/year ($72,144 total). Graduates earn $26,370 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $591,696 in total earnings — a net gain of $519,552 (8.2× your investment). The median debt is $12,814, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 31% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$72,144
Projected 20yr Earnings
$591,696
Net Return
$519,552
ROI Multiple
8.2×
Cost Per Year
$18,036
Median Debt
$12,814
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
31%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does American National University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

American National University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 29.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 3.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $38,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
0.97%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
3.3%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
29.3%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$52,036
today's $ (2015 cohort data)

Top Programs

The fields American National University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into American National University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Salem, Virginia, American National University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend American National University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at American National University is $10,961, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,036. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,281 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,814 in federal student loans.

Is American National University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of American National University report median earnings of $26,370, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Does American National University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

American National University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 29.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 3.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $38,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Similar Schools

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys