American Career College-Anaheim vs Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Career College-Anaheim comes closer — median earnings $38,430 against a $124,872 total, vs $28,691 at Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Career College-Anaheim | Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,218 | $17,246 |
| Total net cost | $124,872 | $68,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,430 | $28,691 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $6,211 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$323,472 | -$462,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Career College-Anaheim or Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto?
Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto, at $17,246 a year after aid versus $31,218 — a gap of $13,972 a year, or $55,888 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 Career College-Anaheim or Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto graduates earn more?
American Career College-Anaheim graduates report a median $38,430 ten years after entry, $9,739 more than the $28,691 at Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto. 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 Career College-Anaheim or Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto?
Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto: its completers carry a median $6,211 in federal loans versus $9,500 at American Career College-Anaheim, a difference of $3,289. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Modesto, against 70% at American Career College-Anaheim. 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.