Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but CBD College comes closer — median earnings $37,237 against a $46,066 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-Los AngelesCBD College
Net price / yr$32,408$23,033
Total net cost$129,632$46,066
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$37,237
Median debt$9,500$19,309
Payback
20-year net return-$328,232-$268,526

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

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

CBD College, at $23,033 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $9,375 a year, or $83,566 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 CBD College graduates earn more?

American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $1,193 more than the $37,237 at CBD 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-Los Angeles or CBD College?

American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,309 at CBD College, a difference of $9,809. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

82% of students finish at CBD College, 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 CBD College: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Los Angeles or CBD College a better value?
CBD College 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 CBD College?
CBD College: $23,033/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $9,375 a year, or about $83,566 over four years.
Do American Career College-Los Angeles or CBD College graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $37,237 at CBD College — a $1,193 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.