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Woodland Community College vs American Career College-Anaheim: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Woodland Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,042 against a $16,712 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWoodland Community CollegeAmerican Career College-Anaheim
Net price / yr$8,356$31,218
Total net cost$16,712$124,872
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,042$38,430
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$183,072-$323,472

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

Which is cheaper, Woodland Community College or American Career College-Anaheim?

Woodland Community College, at $8,356 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $22,862 a year, or $108,160 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Woodland Community College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?

Woodland Community College graduates report a median $40,042 ten years after entry, $1,612 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 43% at Woodland Community 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.

Woodland Community College vs American Career College-Anaheim: frequently asked questions

Is Woodland Community College or American Career College-Anaheim a better value?
Woodland Community 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, Woodland Community College or American Career College-Anaheim?
Woodland Community College: $8,356/yr net price after aid versus $31,218/yr at American Career College-Anaheim — a difference of $22,862 a year, or about $108,160 over four years.
Do Woodland Community College or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?
Woodland Community College graduates earn a median $40,042 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim — a $1,612 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.