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Bellus Academy-Chula Vista vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Chula Vista CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bellus Academy-Chula Vista comes closer — median earnings $23,576 against a $82,952 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBellus Academy-Chula VistaAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$20,738$25,781
Total net cost$82,952$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$23,576$22,481
Median debt$7,917$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$578,632-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Bellus Academy-Chula Vista or American Beauty College?

Bellus Academy-Chula Vista, at $20,738 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $5,043 a year, or $20,172 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bellus Academy-Chula Vista or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Bellus Academy-Chula Vista graduates report a median $23,576 ten years after entry, $1,095 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, Bellus Academy-Chula Vista or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $7,917 at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista, a difference of $2,487. 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 68% at Bellus Academy-Chula Vista. 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.

Bellus Academy-Chula Vista vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Bellus Academy-Chula Vista or American Beauty College a better value?
Bellus Academy-Chula Vista 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, Bellus Academy-Chula Vista or American Beauty College?
Bellus Academy-Chula Vista: $20,738/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $5,043 a year, or about $20,172 over four years.
Do Bellus Academy-Chula Vista or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Bellus Academy-Chula Vista graduates earn a median $23,576 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $1,095 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.