At $29,807/yr net price, American Career College-Ontario graduates earn $38,492/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,492/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,807 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $119,228 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,492/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,492/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 26.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.0% |
| 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 | $28,649/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,342/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $30,525/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,422/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,442/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $53,584 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,406 | $25,240 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,684 | $17,200 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $26,091 | $9,500 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $24,679 | $9,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $22,657 | $8,444 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $22,617 | $9,500 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Certificate | $18,771 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
62.0% of students at American Career College-Ontario graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
American Career College-Ontario asks $29,807 a year in net price for a two-year credential, and the median graduate earns $38,492 ten years out. That gap defines the school's problem: you're paying close to a full year of your future salary for each year of school, and the payoff depends entirely on which program you pick.
Allied Health and Medical Assisting is the one clear win here. At $53,584 a year, it out-earns every other program on the list by a wide margin, and it's an associate degree. If you enroll for this, the math can work. The Allied Health Diagnostic associate pays less ($41,406) and carries far more debt ($25,240), so the return is thinner.
The certificate programs are where the risk concentrates. Practical Nursing pays $36,684 but leaves you with $17,200 in debt. Health and Medical Administrative Services and Ophthalmic Support both land in the mid-$20,000s,below what the school's median debt of $9,500 comfortably justifies against a full-price sticker. At those earnings, you'd be paying near your annual salary for a credential that returns very little in the local job market.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $28,649. over $110,000, you pay $33,442. That flat structure means low-income families get almost no relief here,a $780 difference between the bottom bracket and the $48-75k range. This school does not price for families who can't absorb close to $30,000 a year.
This school fits you if you're aiming squarely at Medical Assisting and can finish the associate degree. If you're drawn to the ophthalmic or administrative certificates, the earnings don't support the price, and a community college nursing or allied-health path will cost you far less for similar or better pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Career College-Ontario worth the cost?
With a net price of nearly $30,000 per year and median earnings of $38,492 ten years after graduation, the financial return is modest. The school's 62% graduation rate means over one-third of students don't finish their programs.
Which programs at American Career College-Ontario have the best ROI?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services offers the strongest return with graduates earning $53,584 annually. Avoid programs like Ophthalmic Support Services, where graduates earn just $24,679 despite similar tuition costs.
How much debt do American Career College-Ontario students graduate with?
The median debt is $9,500, which is relatively low compared to other private colleges. However, given the modest earning potential in most programs, even this amount can be challenging to repay.
What are the biggest risks of attending American Career College-Ontario?
The main risk is paying high tuition for programs with low earning potential. Nearly 40% of students don't graduate, meaning they face debt without a credential to show for it.