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Sacramento, CA · Private University

Is American River College Worth It?

ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data

Strong ROIRanked #1397 of 3,472 schools by ROI

Key Numbers

10-Year Earnings

$40,162

median, 10 years after enrollment

In-State Tuition

$1,288

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$12,808

per year

Total 4-Year Cost

$51,232

tuition only (4 years)

ROI Ratio

3.14x

earnings ÷ annual tuition

Payback Period

9.9 yrs

years to recoup total cost

Median Debt

$9,625

at graduation

Avg Net Price

$4,628

after aid & scholarships

Earnings vs. Annual Cost

10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition

Median Earnings (10yr)$40,162
Annual Tuition$12,808
National Median Earnings$45,000

American River College graduates earn $4,838 less than the national median of workers with any education level.

What You'd Actually Pay

Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income

Under $30,000$3,744/yr
$30,000 – $48,000$3,666/yr
$48,000 – $75,000$6,788/yr
$75,000 – $110,000$9,369/yr
Over $110,000$10,022/yr

Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.

The Bottom Line

American River College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $40,162 10 years after starting, $4,838 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.9 years, a reasonable timeline.

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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.