American Career College-Los Angeles vs North-West College-San Diego: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North-West College-San Diego comes closer — median earnings $41,472 against a $93,006 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Career College-Los Angeles | North-West College-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,408 | $46,503 |
| Total net cost | $129,632 | $93,006 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,430 | $41,472 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$328,232 | -$230,766 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Career College-Los Angeles or North-West College-San Diego?
American Career College-Los Angeles, at $32,408 a year after aid versus $46,503 — a gap of $14,095 a year, or $36,626 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 North-West College-San Diego graduates earn more?
North-West College-San Diego graduates report a median $41,472 ten years after entry, $3,042 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 leaves students with less debt, American Career College-Los Angeles or North-West College-San Diego?
Completers at both borrow a median $9,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.