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Grossmont College vs American Career College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?

Public, El Cajon CA · vs · Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Grossmont College comes closer — median earnings $40,309 against a $10,622 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGrossmont CollegeAmerican Career College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$5,311$32,408
Total net cost$10,622$129,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,309$38,430
Median debt$8,625$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$171,642-$328,232

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

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

Grossmont College, at $5,311 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $27,097 a year, or $119,010 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Grossmont College graduates report a median $40,309 ten years after entry, $1,879 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, Grossmont College or American Career College-Los Angeles?

Grossmont College: its completers carry a median $8,625 in federal loans versus $9,500 at American Career College-Los Angeles, a difference of $875. 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 Grossmont 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.

Grossmont College vs American Career College-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is Grossmont College or American Career College-Los Angeles a better value?
Grossmont College 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, Grossmont College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
Grossmont College: $5,311/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $27,097 a year, or about $119,010 over four years.
Do Grossmont College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Grossmont College graduates earn a median $40,309 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $1,879 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.