Downey Adult School vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Downey Adult School comes closer — median earnings $46,851 against a $54,780 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Downey Adult School | American Beauty College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,695 | $25,781 |
| Total net cost | $54,780 | $103,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,851 | $22,481 |
| Median debt | — | $5,430 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$84,960 | -$620,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Downey Adult School or American Beauty College?
Downey Adult School, at $13,695 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $12,086 a year, or $48,344 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Downey Adult School or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Downey Adult School graduates report a median $46,851 ten years after entry, $24,370 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 graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at American Beauty College, against 31% at Downey Adult School. 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.