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Career Networks Institute vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Santa Ana CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Career Networks Institute comes closer — median earnings $45,256 against a $99,354 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCareer Networks InstituteAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$49,677$25,781
Total net cost$99,354$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,256$22,481
Median debt$25,899$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$161,434-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Career Networks Institute or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College, at $25,781 a year after aid versus $49,677 — a gap of $23,896 a year, or $3,770 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Career Networks Institute or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Career Networks Institute graduates report a median $45,256 ten years after entry, $22,775 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, Career Networks Institute or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $25,899 at Career Networks Institute, a difference of $20,469. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

89% of students finish at Career Networks Institute, against 69% at American Beauty 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.

Career Networks Institute vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Career Networks Institute or American Beauty College a better value?
Career Networks Institute 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, Career Networks Institute or American Beauty College?
American Beauty College: $25,781/yr net price after aid versus $49,677/yr at Career Networks Institute — a difference of $23,896 a year, or about $3,770 over four years.
Do Career Networks Institute or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Career Networks Institute graduates earn a median $45,256 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $22,775 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.