Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

American Career College-Anaheim vs Carrington College-San Leandro Campus: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Leandro 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 $39,633 at Carrington College-San Leandro Campus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-AnaheimCarrington College-San Leandro Campus
Net price / yr$31,218$39,675
Total net cost$124,872$158,700
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$39,633
Median debt$9,500$11,537
Payback
20-year net return-$323,472-$333,240

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or Carrington College-San Leandro Campus?

American Career College-Anaheim, at $31,218 a year after aid versus $39,675 — a gap of $8,457 a year, or $33,828 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 Carrington College-San Leandro Campus graduates earn more?

Carrington College-San Leandro Campus graduates report a median $39,633 ten years after entry, $1,203 more than the $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. 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 Carrington College-San Leandro Campus?

American Career College-Anaheim: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,537 at Carrington College-San Leandro Campus, a difference of $2,037. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at American Career College-Anaheim, against 59% at Carrington College-San Leandro Campus. 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 Carrington College-San Leandro Campus: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Anaheim or Carrington College-San Leandro Campus 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 Carrington College-San Leandro Campus?
American Career College-Anaheim: $31,218/yr net price after aid versus $39,675/yr at Carrington College-San Leandro Campus — a difference of $8,457 a year, or about $33,828 over four years.
Do American Career College-Anaheim or Carrington College-San Leandro Campus graduates earn more?
Carrington College-San Leandro Campus graduates earn a median $39,633 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim — a $1,203 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.