DeVry University-California vs American Career College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but DeVry University-California comes closer — median earnings $45,987 against a $134,976 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | DeVry University-California | American Career College-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,744 | $32,408 |
| Total net cost | $134,976 | $129,632 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,987 | $38,430 |
| Median debt | $24,807 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$182,436 | -$328,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, DeVry University-California or American Career College-Los Angeles?
American Career College-Los Angeles, at $32,408 a year after aid versus $33,744 — a gap of $1,336 a year, or $5,344 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do DeVry University-California or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
DeVry University-California graduates report a median $45,987 ten years after entry, $7,557 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, DeVry University-California or American Career College-Los Angeles?
American Career College-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $24,807 at DeVry University-California, a difference of $15,307. 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 22% at DeVry University-California. 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.