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

Public, Woodland CA · vs · Private for-profit, Los Angeles 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-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWoodland Community CollegeAmerican Career College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$8,356$32,408
Total net cost$16,712$129,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,042$38,430
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$183,072-$328,232

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-Los Angeles?

Woodland Community College, at $8,356 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $24,052 a year, or $112,920 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-Los Angeles 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-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 graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at American Career College-Los Angeles, 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-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is Woodland Community College or American Career College-Los Angeles 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-Los Angeles?
Woodland Community College: $8,356/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $24,052 a year, or about $112,920 over four years.
Do Woodland Community College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Woodland Community College graduates earn a median $40,042 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $1,612 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.