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

Public, Wilmington CA · vs · Private for-profit, Anaheim CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Los Angeles Harbor College comes closer — median earnings $41,133 against a $26,500 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLos Angeles Harbor CollegeAmerican Career College-Anaheim
Net price / yr$13,250$31,218
Total net cost$26,500$124,872
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,133$38,430
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$171,040-$323,472

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

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

Los Angeles Harbor College, at $13,250 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $17,968 a year, or $98,372 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Los Angeles Harbor College graduates report a median $41,133 ten years after entry, $2,703 more than the $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. 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?

70% of students finish at American Career College-Anaheim, against 36% at Los Angeles Harbor 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.

Los Angeles Harbor College vs American Career College-Anaheim: frequently asked questions

Is Los Angeles Harbor College or American Career College-Anaheim a better value?
Los Angeles Harbor 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, Los Angeles Harbor College or American Career College-Anaheim?
Los Angeles Harbor College: $13,250/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $17,968 a year, or about $98,372 over four years.
Do Los Angeles Harbor College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?
Los Angeles Harbor College graduates earn a median $41,133 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim — a $2,703 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.