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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Los Angeles Mission College comes closer — median earnings $39,834 against a $26,760 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLos Angeles Mission CollegeAmerican Career College-Anaheim
Net price / yr$13,380$31,218
Total net cost$26,760$124,872
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,834$38,430
Median debt$12,678$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$197,280-$323,472

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

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

Los Angeles Mission College, at $13,380 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $17,838 a year, or $98,112 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 Mission College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?

Los Angeles Mission College graduates report a median $39,834 ten years after entry, $1,404 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 leaves students with less debt, Los Angeles Mission College or American Career College-Anaheim?

American Career College-Anaheim: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $12,678 at Los Angeles Mission College, a difference of $3,178. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at American Career College-Anaheim, against 20% at Los Angeles Mission 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 Mission College vs American Career College-Anaheim: frequently asked questions

Is Los Angeles Mission College or American Career College-Anaheim a better value?
Los Angeles Mission 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 Mission College or American Career College-Anaheim?
Los Angeles Mission College: $13,380/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $17,838 a year, or about $98,112 over four years.
Do Los Angeles Mission College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?
Los Angeles Mission College graduates earn a median $39,834 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim — a $1,404 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.