Degree Dividend
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American Career College-Los Angeles vs New York Film Academy: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Career College-Los Angeles comes closer — median earnings $38,430 against a $129,632 total, vs $29,633 at New York Film Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Career College-Los AngelesNew York Film Academy
Net price / yr$32,408$39,011
Total net cost$129,632$156,044
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,430$29,633
Median debt$9,500$16,000
Payback
20-year net return-$328,232-$530,584

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

Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or New York Film Academy?

American Career College-Los Angeles, at $32,408 a year after aid versus $39,011 — a gap of $6,603 a year, or $26,412 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 New York Film Academy graduates earn more?

American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $8,797 more than the $29,633 at New York Film Academy. 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 New York Film Academy?

American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $16,000 at New York Film Academy, a difference of $6,500. 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 68% at New York Film Academy. 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 New York Film Academy: frequently asked questions

Is American Career College-Los Angeles or New York Film Academy a better value?
American Career College-Los Angeles 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 New York Film Academy?
American Career College-Los Angeles: $32,408/yr net price after aid versus $39,011/yr at New York Film Academy — a difference of $6,603 a year, or about $26,412 over four years.
Do American Career College-Los Angeles or New York Film Academy graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $29,633 at New York Film Academy — a $8,797 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.