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

Public, Reedley CA · vs · Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Reedley College comes closer — median earnings $38,493 against a $27,256 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureReedley CollegeAmerican Career College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$6,814$32,408
Total net cost$27,256$129,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,493$38,430
Median debt$2,819$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$224,596-$328,232

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

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

Reedley College, at $6,814 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $25,594 a year, or $102,376 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Reedley College graduates report a median $38,493 ten years after entry, $63 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, Reedley College or American Career College-Los Angeles?

Reedley College: its completers carry a median $2,819 in federal loans versus $9,500 at American Career College-Los Angeles, a difference of $6,681. 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 42% at Reedley 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.

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

Is Reedley College or American Career College-Los Angeles a better value?
Reedley 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, Reedley College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
Reedley College: $6,814/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $25,594 a year, or about $102,376 over four years.
Do Reedley College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Reedley College graduates earn a median $38,493 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $63 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.