Atlantic University
Atlantic University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Atlantic University at a Glance
Atlantic University is a private university in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The university is associated with Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), and its administrative offices are in the Don and Nancy de Laski Education Center on the main A.R.E. campus. The university is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and licensed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
1930
96 years old
25
Is Atlantic University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Atlantic University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $25,272 — 53% below average — while paying $6,425/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Atlantic University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Atlantic University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PR
Ranked #4 of 15 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Talmudical Seminary of Bobov | 81 | $2,840 | $22,432 |
| #2 | United Talmudical Seminary | 54 | $6,640 | $25,113 |
| #3 | Caribbean University-Bayamon | 48 | $4,665 | $22,842 |
| #4 | Atlantic University | 37 | $6,425 | $25,272 |
| #5 | Atenas University | 37 | $5,818 | $20,231 |
| #6 | Universidad Adventista de las Antillas | 30 | $9,919 | $28,465 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Atlantic University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in PR.
Best Programs at Atlantic University
The highest-earning program at Atlantic University is Computer Software and Media Applications at $14,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Design and Applied Arts at $13,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Software and Media Applications graduate from Atlantic University earns $14,300, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $13,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Software and Media Applications graduates carry $4,533 in median debt vs. $4,500 for Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,425/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $14,300 | $14,300 | $4,533 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $13,700 | $13,700 | $4,500 |
Similar Colleges in PR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Guaynabo, PR
- Student Body
- 1,451 students
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,425
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $25,272
- Median Student Debt
- $5,457