Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Anaheim vs Milan Institute-Bakersfield: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private for-profit, Bakersfield 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 $24,879 at Milan Institute-Bakersfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-AnaheimMilan Institute-Bakersfield
Net price / yr$31,218$24,487
Total net cost$124,872$97,948
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$24,879
Median debt$9,500$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$323,472-$567,568

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or Milan Institute-Bakersfield?

Milan Institute-Bakersfield, at $24,487 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $6,731 a year, or $26,924 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 Milan Institute-Bakersfield graduates earn more?

American Career College-Anaheim graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $13,551 more than the $24,879 at Milan Institute-Bakersfield. 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 Milan Institute-Bakersfield?

Milan Institute-Bakersfield: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,500 at American Career College-Anaheim, a difference of $3,167. 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 Milan Institute-Bakersfield. 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 Milan Institute-Bakersfield: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Anaheim or Milan Institute-Bakersfield 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 Milan Institute-Bakersfield?
Milan Institute-Bakersfield: $24,487/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $6,731 a year, or about $26,924 over four years.
Do American Career College-Anaheim or Milan Institute-Bakersfield graduates earn more?
American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $24,879 at Milan Institute-Bakersfield — a $13,551 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.