Bucks County Community College vs Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bucks County Community College comes closer — median earnings $47,324 against a $12,778 total, vs $29,738 at Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bucks County Community College | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,389 | $11,971 |
| Total net cost | $12,778 | $47,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,324 | $29,738 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $3,167 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$33,498 | -$420,324 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bucks County Community College or Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork?
Bucks County Community College, at $6,389 a year after aid versus $11,971 — a gap of $5,582 a year, or $35,106 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bucks County Community College or Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork graduates earn more?
Bucks County Community College graduates report a median $47,324 ten years after entry, $17,586 more than the $29,738 at Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork. 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, Bucks County Community College or Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork?
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork: its completers carry a median $3,167 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Bucks County Community College, a difference of $8,833. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork, against 32% at Bucks County Community College. 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.