Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Los Angeles vs Carrington College-Stockton: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private for-profit, Stockton CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carrington College-Stockton comes closer — median earnings $39,633 against a $149,924 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-Los AngelesCarrington College-Stockton
Net price / yr$32,408$37,481
Total net cost$129,632$149,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$39,633
Median debt$9,500$11,537
Payback
20-year net return-$328,232-$324,464

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or Carrington College-Stockton?

American Career College-Los Angeles, at $32,408 a year after aid versus $37,481 — a gap of $5,073 a year, or $20,292 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 Carrington College-Stockton graduates earn more?

Carrington College-Stockton graduates report a median $39,633 ten years after entry, $1,203 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 Carrington College-Stockton?

American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,537 at Carrington College-Stockton, a difference of $2,037. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at American Career College-Los Angeles, against 54% at Carrington College-Stockton. 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 Carrington College-Stockton: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Los Angeles or Carrington College-Stockton a better value?
Carrington College-Stockton 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 Carrington College-Stockton?
American Career College-Los Angeles: $32,408/yr net price after aid versus $37,481/yr at Carrington College-Stockton — a difference of $5,073 a year, or about $20,292 over four years.
Do American Career College-Los Angeles or Carrington College-Stockton graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Stockton graduates earn a median $39,633 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $1,203 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.