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Head-to-head comparison

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

Public, Salinas CA · vs · Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Salinas, CA

Hartnell College

Net price / year
$2,039
Earnings, 10 years
$44,316
Payback
No payback

Option B Los Angeles, CA

American Career College-Los Angeles

Net price / year
$32,408
Earnings, 10 years
$38,430
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hartnell College comes closer — median earnings $44,316 against a $4,078 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHartnell CollegeAmerican Career College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$2,039$32,408
Total net cost$4,078$129,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,316$38,430
Median debt—$9,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$84,958-$328,232

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Hartnell College or American Career College-Los Angeles?

Hartnell College, at $2,039 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $30,369 a year, or $125,554 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Hartnell College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?

Hartnell College graduates report a median $44,316 ten years after entry, $5,886 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.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at American Career College-Los Angeles, against 40% at Hartnell 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.

Hartnell College vs American Career College-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is Hartnell College or American Career College-Los Angeles a better value?
Hartnell 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, Hartnell College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
Hartnell College: $2,039/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $30,369 a year, or about $125,554 over four years.
Do Hartnell College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Hartnell College graduates earn a median $44,316 ten years after entry, versus $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles — a $5,886 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.