At $7,532/yr net price, Los Angeles City College graduates earn $36,190/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,190/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,532 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,128 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,190/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,190/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 13.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,229/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,258/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,294/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,219/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $69,732 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Certificate | $42,682 |
The Risk Factor
24.0% of students at Los Angeles City College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Los Angeles City College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky. Median earnings ten years out sit around $36,000, barely above what a full-time minimum-wage job pays in Los Angeles. Debt stays low at $12,750, so you won't drown in loans, but the payoff on the other side is thin for most students.
The clearest bright spot is the Allied Health associate program, where graduates earn nearly double the school-wide median. If you can get into a health field here, the numbers work. The general studies certificate lands in the low $40,000s, better than the median but not a career-ending destination on its own. Everything else is unproven at the earnings level, so treat the median as your realistic outcome unless you're heading into allied health.
The biggest risk is the 24% graduation rate. Three out of four students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the low net price stops mattering. That completion risk is the single most important thing to weigh here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $7,200 a year. Cross into the $48,000-$75,000 range and your cost jumps to over $10,000, and above $75,000 you're paying more than $12,000. Middle-income families get less help here proportionally.
This school fits you if you're targeting allied health, plan to transfer to a four-year school, or need a low-cost entry point and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you want a standalone credential in a field with no earnings data here, or if the odds of not graduating would leave you worse off than when you started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles City College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Los Angeles City College offers a low net price of $7,532 per year, but graduates earn only $36,190 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The low cost helps offset the modest earnings, making it a reasonable choice for students seeking affordable education without major debt.
What programs at Los Angeles City College have the best ROI?
Allied Health programs at Los Angeles City College show the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $69,732 annually. Liberal Arts graduates earn significantly less at $42,682, making program choice critical for financial outcomes.
How likely am I to graduate from Los Angeles City College?
Los Angeles City College has a 24% graduation rate, which means most students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating the school's value.
How much debt do Los Angeles City College students typically have?
The median debt for Los Angeles City College graduates is $12,750, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. Given the low earnings potential for most programs, keeping debt minimal is important for making the investment worthwhile.