Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Los Angeles vs Lassen Community College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Public, Susanville CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lassen Community College comes closer — median earnings $35,994 against a $25,034 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 AngelesLassen Community College
Net price / yr$32,408$12,517
Total net cost$129,632$25,034
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$35,994
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$328,232-$272,354

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

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

Lassen Community College, at $12,517 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $19,891 a year, or $104,598 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 Lassen Community College graduates earn more?

American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $2,436 more than the $35,994 at Lassen Community 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 graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at American Career College-Los Angeles, against 31% at Lassen Community College. 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 Lassen Community College: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Los Angeles or Lassen Community College a better value?
Lassen Community 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 Lassen Community College?
Lassen Community College: $12,517/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $19,891 a year, or about $104,598 over four years.
Do American Career College-Los Angeles or Lassen Community College graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $35,994 at Lassen Community College — a $2,436 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.