Degree Dividend
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College of Marin vs American Career College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?

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

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Marin comes closer — median earnings $42,654 against a $24,702 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of MarinAmerican Career College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$12,351$32,408
Total net cost$24,702$129,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,654$38,430
Median debt$10,062$9,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$138,822-$328,232

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

Which is cheaper, College of Marin or American Career College-Los Angeles?

College of Marin, at $12,351 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $20,057 a year, or $104,930 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do College of Marin or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?

College of Marin graduates report a median $42,654 ten years after entry, $4,224 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, College of Marin or American Career College-Los Angeles?

American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,062 at College of Marin, a difference of $562. 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 39% at College of Marin. 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.

College of Marin vs American Career College-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is College of Marin or American Career College-Los Angeles a better value?
College of Marin 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, College of Marin or American Career College-Los Angeles?
College of Marin: $12,351/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $20,057 a year, or about $104,930 over four years.
Do College of Marin or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
College of Marin graduates earn a median $42,654 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $4,224 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.