American Public University System vs BridgeValley Community & Technical College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| American Public University System Charles Town, WV | BridgeValley Community & Technical College South Charleston, WV | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +279% | -458% |
| 10-year net gain | $129,019 | $-58,192 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $62,533 | $40,452 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $54,029 | $47,308 |
| Average net price | $9,597 | $4,565 |
| Median debt | $21,743 | $9,829 |
| Break-even | 2.6 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 57% | — |
| Admission rate | — | — |
American Public University System
Strong return
+$129,019 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
Poor return
$-58,192 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.