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San Bernardino Valley College vs American Career College-Anaheim: which has better ROI?

Public, San Bernardino CA · vs · Private for-profit, Anaheim CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but San Bernardino Valley College comes closer — median earnings $39,676 against a $37,886 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSan Bernardino Valley CollegeAmerican Career College-Anaheim
Net price / yr$18,943$31,218
Total net cost$37,886$124,872
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,676$38,430
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$211,566-$323,472

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

Which is cheaper, San Bernardino Valley College or American Career College-Anaheim?

San Bernardino Valley College, at $18,943 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $12,275 a year, or $86,986 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do San Bernardino Valley College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?

San Bernardino Valley College graduates report a median $39,676 ten years after entry, $1,246 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 28% at San Bernardino 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.

San Bernardino Valley College vs American Career College-Anaheim: frequently asked questions

Is San Bernardino Valley College or American Career College-Anaheim a better value?
San Bernardino Valley 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, San Bernardino Valley College or American Career College-Anaheim?
San Bernardino Valley College: $18,943/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $12,275 a year, or about $86,986 over four years.
Do San Bernardino Valley College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?
San Bernardino Valley College graduates earn a median $39,676 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim — a $1,246 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.