American Career College-Los Angeles vs Downey Adult School: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Downey Adult School comes closer — median earnings $46,851 against a $54,780 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Career College-Los Angeles | Downey Adult School |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,408 | $13,695 |
| Total net cost | $129,632 | $54,780 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,430 | $46,851 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$328,232 | -$84,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or Downey Adult School?
Downey Adult School, at $13,695 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $18,713 a year, or $74,852 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 Downey Adult School graduates earn more?
Downey Adult School graduates report a median $46,851 ten years after entry, $8,421 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 graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at American Career College-Los Angeles, against 31% at Downey Adult School. 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.