American River College vs American Career College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American River College comes closer — median earnings $40,162 against a $15,998 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American River College | American Career College-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,999 | $32,408 |
| Total net cost | $15,998 | $129,632 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,162 | $38,430 |
| Median debt | $9,625 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$179,958 | -$328,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American River College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
American River College, at $7,999 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $24,409 a year, or $113,634 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 River College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
American River College graduates report a median $40,162 ten years after entry, $1,732 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 River College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $9,625 at American River College, a difference of $125. 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 37% at American River 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.