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Is American River College worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for American River, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
American River sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $40,162 helps, but median debt of $9,625 plus yearly net price of $7,999 creates a tighter path. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$7,999
Median earnings 10 years out
$40,162
Median debt at graduation
$9,625
Graduation rate
35%
At American River, a typical graduate carries about $9,625 in student debt and earns roughly $40,162 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $109 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
American River is a two year school in Sacramento, CA. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
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Common questions about American River
The median net price at American River is $7,999 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →