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American Career College-Los Angeles vs Career Networks Institute: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private for-profit, Santa Ana CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Career Networks Institute comes closer — median earnings $45,256 against a $99,354 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-Los AngelesCareer Networks Institute
Net price / yr$32,408$49,677
Total net cost$129,632$99,354
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$45,256
Median debt$9,500$25,899
Payback
20-year net return-$328,232-$161,434

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or Career Networks Institute?

American Career College-Los Angeles, at $32,408 a year after aid versus $49,677 — a gap of $17,269 a year, or $30,278 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 Career Networks Institute graduates earn more?

Career Networks Institute graduates report a median $45,256 ten years after entry, $6,826 more than the $38,430 at American Career 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 Career Networks Institute?

American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $25,899 at Career Networks Institute, a difference of $16,399. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

89% of students finish at Career Networks Institute, 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.

American Career College-Los Angeles vs Career Networks Institute: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Los Angeles or Career Networks Institute a better value?
Career Networks Institute 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-Los Angeles or Career Networks Institute?
American Career College-Los Angeles: $32,408/yr net price after aid versus $49,677/yr at Career Networks Institute — a difference of $17,269 a year, or about $30,278 over four years.
Do American Career College-Los Angeles or Career Networks Institute graduates earn more?
Career Networks Institute graduates earn a median $45,256 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $6,826 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.