West Coast University-Ontario vs American Career College-Ontario: which has better ROI?
West Coast University-Ontario has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $198,360 in 3.7 years versus not at all at American Career College-Ontario, on median earnings of $102,672 vs $38,492 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Coast University-Ontario | American Career College-Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,590 | $33,431 |
| Total net cost | $198,360 | $133,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $102,672 | $38,492 |
| Median debt | $32,946 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $887,880 | -$331,084 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, West Coast University-Ontario or American Career College-Ontario?
American Career College-Ontario, at $33,431 a year after aid versus $49,590 — a gap of $16,159 a year, or $64,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do West Coast University-Ontario or American Career College-Ontario graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Ontario graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $64,180 more than the $38,492 at American Career College-Ontario. 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, West Coast University-Ontario or American Career College-Ontario?
American Career College-Ontario: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Ontario, a difference of $23,446. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at American Career College-Ontario, against 39% at West Coast University-Ontario. 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.