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American Career College-Los Angeles vs Institute for Business and Technology: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private for-profit, San Jose CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Institute for Business and Technology comes closer — median earnings $38,015 against a $108,828 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 AngelesInstitute for Business and Technology
Net price / yr$32,408$27,207
Total net cost$129,632$108,828
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$38,015
Median debt$9,500$7,853
Payback
20-year net return-$328,232-$315,728

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or Institute for Business and Technology?

Institute for Business and Technology, at $27,207 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $5,201 a year, or $20,804 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 Institute for Business and Technology graduates earn more?

American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $415 more than the $38,015 at Institute for Business and Technology. 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 Institute for Business and Technology?

Institute for Business and Technology: its completers carry a median $7,853 in federal loans versus $9,500 at American Career College-Los Angeles, a difference of $1,647. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

84% of students finish at Institute for Business and Technology, 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 Institute for Business and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Los Angeles or Institute for Business and Technology a better value?
Institute for Business and Technology 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 Institute for Business and Technology?
Institute for Business and Technology: $27,207/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $5,201 a year, or about $20,804 over four years.
Do American Career College-Los Angeles or Institute for Business and Technology graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $38,015 at Institute for Business and Technology — a $415 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.