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College of Marin vs Advance Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Kentfield CA · vs · Private for-profit, Garden Grove CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Marin comes closer — median earnings $42,654 against a $24,702 total, vs $11,575 at Advance Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of MarinAdvance Beauty College
Net price / yr$12,351$10,358
Total net cost$24,702$41,432
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,654$11,575
Median debt$10,062
Payback
20-year net return-$138,822-$777,132

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

Which is cheaper, College of Marin or Advance Beauty College?

Advance Beauty College, at $10,358 a year after aid versus $12,351 — a gap of $1,993 a year, or $16,730 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do College of Marin or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?

College of Marin graduates report a median $42,654 ten years after entry, $31,079 more than the $11,575 at Advance 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 graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Advance Beauty College, against 39% at College of Marin. 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.

College of Marin vs Advance Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is College of Marin or Advance Beauty College a better value?
College of Marin 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, College of Marin or Advance Beauty College?
Advance Beauty College: $10,358/yr net price after aid versus $12,351/yr at College of Marin — a difference of $1,993 a year, or about $16,730 over four years.
Do College of Marin or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?
College of Marin graduates earn a median $42,654 ten years after entry, versus $11,575 at Advance Beauty College — a $31,079 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.