American Career College-Los Angeles vs Associated Technical College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Career College-Los Angeles comes closer — median earnings $38,430 against a $129,632 total, vs $24,368 at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Career College-Los Angeles | Associated Technical College-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,408 | $23,629 |
| Total net cost | $129,632 | $94,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,430 | $24,368 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$328,232 | -$574,356 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles?
Associated Technical College-Los Angeles, at $23,629 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $8,779 a year, or $35,116 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-Los Angeles or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $14,062 more than the $24,368 at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles or Associated Technical College-Los Angeles?
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.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Associated Technical College-Los Angeles, against 75% at American Career College-Los Angeles. 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.