ECPI University vs Northern Virginia Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +40% | +337% |
| 10-year net gain | $39,312 | $80,444 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $58,846 | $55,429 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $44,332 | $37,783 |
| Average net price | $22,965 | $9,919 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $11,000 |
| Break-even | 7.2 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 43% | — |
| Admission rate | 75% | — |
ECPI University
Break-even
+$39,312 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Northern Virginia Community College
Strong return
+$80,444 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.