Imperial Valley College vs American Career College-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Imperial Valley College comes closer — median earnings $34,487 against a $2,230 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Imperial Valley College | American Career College-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $1,115 | $32,408 |
| Total net cost | $2,230 | $129,632 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,487 | $38,430 |
| Median debt | — | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$279,690 | -$328,232 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Imperial Valley College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
Imperial Valley College, at $1,115 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $31,293 a year, or $127,402 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Imperial Valley College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $3,943 more than the $34,487 at Imperial Valley College. 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 graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at American Career College-Los Angeles, against 45% at Imperial Valley 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.