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American Beauty College vs Lu Ross Academy: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, West Covina CA · vs · Private for-profit, Ventura CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lu Ross Academy comes closer — median earnings $23,148 against a $77,776 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Beauty CollegeLu Ross Academy
Net price / yr$25,781$19,444
Total net cost$103,124$77,776
Median earnings, 10 yrs$22,481$23,148
Median debt$5,430$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$620,704-$582,016

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

Which is cheaper, American Beauty College or Lu Ross Academy?

Lu Ross Academy, at $19,444 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $6,337 a year, or $25,348 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do American Beauty College or Lu Ross Academy graduates earn more?

Lu Ross Academy graduates report a median $23,148 ten years after entry, $667 more than the $22,481 at American Beauty 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.

Which leaves students with less debt, American Beauty College or Lu Ross Academy?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $6,333 at Lu Ross Academy, a difference of $903. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at American Beauty College, against 65% at Lu Ross Academy. 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.

American Beauty College vs Lu Ross Academy: frequently asked questions

Is American Beauty College or Lu Ross Academy a better value?
Lu Ross Academy 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, American Beauty College or Lu Ross Academy?
Lu Ross Academy: $19,444/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $6,337 a year, or about $25,348 over four years.
Do American Beauty College or Lu Ross Academy graduates earn more?
Lu Ross Academy graduates earn a median $23,148 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $667 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.