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American Career College-Anaheim vs National Polytechnic College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private for-profit, Lakewood 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 $30,781 at National Polytechnic College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-AnaheimNational Polytechnic College
Net price / yr$31,218$30,669
Total net cost$124,872$61,338
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$30,781
Median debt$9,500$16,098
Payback
20-year net return-$323,472-$412,918

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or National Polytechnic College?

National Polytechnic College, at $30,669 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $549 a year, or $63,534 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 National Polytechnic College graduates earn more?

American Career College-Anaheim graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $7,649 more than the $30,781 at National Polytechnic 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 National Polytechnic College?

American Career College-Anaheim: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $16,098 at National Polytechnic College, a difference of $6,598. 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 47% at National Polytechnic 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 National Polytechnic College: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Anaheim or National Polytechnic 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 National Polytechnic College?
National Polytechnic College: $30,669/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $549 a year, or about $63,534 over four years.
Do American Career College-Anaheim or National Polytechnic College graduates earn more?
American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $30,781 at National Polytechnic College — a $7,649 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.