American National University
Salem, VA 24153
About American National University
American National University is a private for-profit trade school in Salem, Virginia, enrolling about 630 students. Programs focus on certificates and workforce credentials that prepare students for skilled trades and technical careers. Typical net price after grant aid is about $18,036 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $10,961. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $26,370 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- American National University charges 34% below the national private for-profit median tuition ($10,961).
- Versus the Virginia median, sticker tuition is 33% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 33.33%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $26,370.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at American National University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 266% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| American National University | $10,961 | $18,036 | 1 |
| Private For-profit (national median) | $16,637 | — | 477 |
| Virginia (state median) | $16,364 | $8,852 | 107 |
| Rural (locale median) | $14,160 | $18,700 | 1,649 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is American National University really?
Key findings
- American National University charges 34% below the national private for-profit median tuition ($10,961).
- Versus the Virginia median, sticker tuition is 33% below.
American National University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $10,961
Finding American National University charges 34% below the national private for-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $10,961. That is 34% below the national private for-profit median ($16,637). Versus the Virginia median ($16,364), sticker tuition is 33% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 8% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private for-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at American National University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at American National University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at American National University is $18,036.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $18,036 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $9,184 above the Virginia median net price. Versus rural campuses, net price runs $664 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At American National University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
American National University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for American National University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$10,961
Avg. net price
$18,036
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $17,281 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,465 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $20,692 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,699 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $43,844. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What American National University is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General67
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal41
- Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller36
- Information Technology26
- Medical/Clinical Assistant26
See earnings & programs for more.
Is American National University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
American National University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for American National University.
Campus
Location
Salem, VA
City / state
- ZIP
- 24153
- NCES locale
- Rural distant
Compared with Rural campuses nationally, net price is 4% below the median for Rural campuses ($18,700 median).
Control
Institution type
Private For-profit
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers
Size
Enrollment
630
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,099
- Graduate
- 140
- Full-time share
- 49%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$12,814
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 68.27%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for American National University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at American National University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for American National University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $11,550 | $11,550 | $19,835 |
| 2014 | $11,550 | $11,550 | $18,480 |
| 2015 | $11,466 | $11,466 | $19,541 |
| 2016 | $14,886 | $14,886 | $18,272 |
| 2017 | $14,886 | $14,886 | $18,946 |
| 2018 | $17,361 | $17,361 | $20,509 |
| 2019 | $8,208 | $8,208 | $22,274 |
| 2020 | $10,772 | $10,772 | $21,500 |
| 2021 | $10,288 | $10,288 | $16,925 |
| 2022 | $10,856 | $10,856 | $13,744 |
| 2023 | $10,735 | $10,735 | $20,215 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
American National University reported total enrollment of about 630 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 22% male and 78% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (40.3%), Black or African American (36.0%), and Asian (15.1%). About 68.27% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 59.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
48.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at American National University in 2024 is 630 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,099 students. Graduate enrollment is about 140 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
83.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
50.00% 100% Completion Time
33.33% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 50.00% of students graduating from American National University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 40% male / 60% female
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal: 12% male / 88% female
- Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller: 6% male / 94% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
American National University graduates earn a median of $26,370 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of American National University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $26,370. Median federal loan debt: $12,814. Average net price used in cost models: $18,036.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway American National University graduates report median earnings of $26,370 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for American National University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (15 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at American National University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for American National University graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for American National University—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $4,119
- Virginia median 0.50× the median ($8,196)
- Southeast median 0.60× the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 0.54× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $4,586
- Virginia median 0.62× the median ($7,382)
- Southeast median 0.69× the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 0.63× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
American National University at a glance
American National University
American National University is a private for-profit institution in Salem, VA, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralLegal Assistant/ParalegalMedical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian40.3%Black or African American36.0%Asian15.1%
Schools near American National University
Other campuses in Salem, VA when available, plus nearby institutions in Virginia.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Virginia, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is American National University located?
American National University is located in Salem, VA.
What is American National University's tuition?
American National University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $10,961 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $18,036 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does American National University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,961 and average net price is $18,036 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $7,992 annually.
What explains American National University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($18,036), completion (33.3% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($26,370). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at American National University?
American National University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,099 students, White (40.3%), Black or African American (36.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend American National University?
About 59.0% of students at American National University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of American National University earn?
Median earnings are $23,830 six years after entry and $26,370 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at American National University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 33.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do American National University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $12,814.
Is American National University public or private?
American National University is a private for-profit institution located in Salem, VA.
Is American National University an HBCU?
No. American National University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is American National University a tribal college?
No. American National University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.