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Head-to-head comparison

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

Public, Blythe 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 Blythe, CA

Palo Verde College

Net price / year
$18,993
Earnings, 10 years
$36,389
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 Palo Verde College comes closer — median earnings $36,389 against a $75,972 total, vs $38,430 at American Career College-Los Angeles. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePalo Verde CollegeAmerican Career College-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$18,993$32,408
Total net cost$75,972$129,632
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,389$38,430
Median debt—$9,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$315,392-$328,232

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

The short answer

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

Palo Verde College, at $18,993 a year after aid versus $32,408 — a gap of $13,415 a year, or $53,660 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 Palo Verde College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?

American Career College-Los Angeles graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $2,041 more than the $36,389 at Palo Verde College. 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 31% at Palo Verde 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.

Palo Verde College vs American Career College-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is Palo Verde College or American Career College-Los Angeles a better value?
Palo Verde 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, Palo Verde College or American Career College-Los Angeles?
Palo Verde College: $18,993/yr net price after aid versus $32,408/yr at American Career College-Los Angeles — a difference of $13,415 a year, or about $53,660 over four years.
Do Palo Verde College or American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
American Career College-Los Angeles graduates earn a median $38,430 ten years after entry, versus $36,389 at Palo Verde College — a $2,041 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.