California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs American Career College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt comes closer — median earnings $47,626 against a $52,684 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | American Career College-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,171 | $32,408 |
| Total net cost | $52,684 | $129,632 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,626 | $38,430 |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$67,364 | -$328,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or American Career College-Los Angeles?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, at $13,171 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $19,237 a year, or $76,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates report a median $47,626 ten years after entry, $9,196 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, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or American Career College-Los Angeles?
American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $18,000 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, a difference of $8,500. 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 49% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt. 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.