Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Anaheim vs Associated Technical College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Career College-Anaheim comes closer — median earnings $38,430 against a $124,872 total, vs $24,368 at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-AnaheimAssociated Technical College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$31,218$23,629
Total net cost$124,872$94,516
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$24,368
Median debt$9,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$323,472-$574,356

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles?

Associated Technical College-Los Angeles, at $23,629 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $7,589 a year, or $30,356 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do American Career College-Anaheim or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?

American Career College-Anaheim graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $14,062 more than the $24,368 at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, American Career College-Anaheim or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles?

Completers at both borrow a median $9,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles, against 70% at American Career College-Anaheim. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

American Career College-Anaheim vs Associated Technical College-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Anaheim or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles a better value?
American Career College-Anaheim comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles?
Associated Technical College-Los Angeles: $23,629/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $7,589 a year, or about $30,356 over four years.
Do American Career College-Anaheim or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $24,368 at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles — a $14,062 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.