Merced College vs American Career College-Anaheim: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Merced College comes closer — median earnings $37,815 against a $20,160 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Merced College | American Career College-Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,040 | $31,218 |
| Total net cost | $20,160 | $124,872 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,815 | $38,430 |
| Median debt | — | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$231,060 | -$323,472 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Merced College or American Career College-Anaheim?
Merced College, at $5,040 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $26,178 a year, or $104,712 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Merced College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?
American Career College-Anaheim graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $615 more than the $37,815 at Merced 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?
70% of students finish at American Career College-Anaheim, against 36% at Merced 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.