Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Anaheim vs Laurus College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Luis Obispo 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 $30,896 at Laurus College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-AnaheimLaurus College
Net price / yr$31,218$22,733
Total net cost$124,872$45,466
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$30,896
Median debt$9,500$32,416
Payback
20-year net return-$323,472-$394,746

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or Laurus College?

Laurus College, at $22,733 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $8,485 a year, or $79,406 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 Laurus College graduates earn more?

American Career College-Anaheim graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $7,534 more than the $30,896 at Laurus College. 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 Laurus College?

American Career College-Anaheim: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $32,416 at Laurus College, a difference of $22,916. 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 43% at Laurus College. 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 Laurus College: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Anaheim or Laurus College 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 Laurus College?
Laurus College: $22,733/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $8,485 a year, or about $79,406 over four years.
Do American Career College-Anaheim or Laurus College graduates earn more?
American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $30,896 at Laurus College — a $7,534 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.