At $27,508/yr net price, American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn $38,430/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,430/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,508 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,032 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,430/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,430/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 24.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,493/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,885/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,335/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,911/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $43,426 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,329 | $23,969 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $38,829 | $27,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,793 | $17,200 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $26,783 | $9,500 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $26,121 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $23,714 | $9,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $21,904 | $8,444 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Certificate | $16,663 |
The Risk Factor
72.3% of students at American Career College-Los Angeles graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
American Career College-Los Angeles is an expensive bet with a thin payoff. You pay over $27,000 a year, and the typical graduate earns $38,430 a decade later. That gap between what you spend and what you earn is the core problem here, and it does not close for most programs.
The one bright spot is the low median debt of $9,500. Compared to schools where students borrow $40,000 or more, you leave with a manageable loan. The 72% graduation rate also means you are likely to finish, which matters because dropping out with debt and no credential is the worst outcome.
Among programs, Health and Medical Administrative Services at the associate level pays the most and carries little debt at the certificate level, making it the safest financial choice here. Allied Health Diagnostic and Medical Assisting associate degrees pay similarly but saddle you with $24,000 to $27,000 in debt, which erases the debt advantage this school otherwise offers. The Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate pays only $26,783, barely above minimum-wage full-time work in California, so that path is hard to justify at this price.
The pricing structure is upside down. If your family earns $48,000 to $110,000, you pay more than $31,000 a year, over $4,000 more than families earning under $30,000. So middle-income families carry the heaviest load without a discount that reflects it.
This school fits you if you want a fast healthcare credential, plan to finish, and target the higher-paying administrative or nursing tracks. Look elsewhere if you are eyeing the lower-paying certificates or if a nearby community college offers the same allied health training for a fraction of the net price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Career College-Los Angeles worth the cost?
With graduates earning $38,430 ten years after enrollment and annual costs of $27,508, the financial return is modest. The school works best for students focused on healthcare careers who can complete programs quickly and enter the workforce.
What programs at American Career College-Los Angeles have the best ROI?
Health and Medical Administrative Services ($43,426 median earnings) and Allied Health Diagnostic programs ($42,329) offer the strongest returns. Avoid the lower-paying Health and Medical Administrative Services track that only leads to $26,783 in earnings.
How much debt do American Career College-Los Angeles graduates typically have?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, which helps offset the modest earning potential. This debt load is manageable compared to many other career colleges.
Does American Career College-Los Angeles have good graduation rates?
The 72% graduation rate is above average for career colleges, indicating most students complete their programs. However, completing the program doesn't guarantee strong earnings given the limited salary growth in many healthcare support roles.