Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Anaheim vs North-West College-San Diego: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Diego CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North-West College-San Diego comes closer — median earnings $41,472 against a $93,006 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-AnaheimNorth-West College-San Diego
Net price / yr$31,218$46,503
Total net cost$124,872$93,006
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$41,472
Median debt$9,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$323,472-$230,766

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or North-West College-San Diego?

American Career College-Anaheim, at $31,218 a year after aid versus $46,503 — a gap of $15,285 a year, or $31,866 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 North-West College-San Diego graduates earn more?

North-West College-San Diego graduates report a median $41,472 ten years after entry, $3,042 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 North-West College-San Diego?

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.

American Career College-Anaheim vs North-West College-San Diego: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Anaheim or North-West College-San Diego a better value?
North-West College-San Diego 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 North-West College-San Diego?
American Career College-Anaheim: $31,218/yr net price after aid versus $46,503/yr at North-West College-San Diego — a difference of $15,285 a year, or about $31,866 over four years.
Do American Career College-Anaheim or North-West College-San Diego graduates earn more?
North-West College-San Diego graduates earn a median $41,472 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim — a $3,042 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.