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El Camino Community College District vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Torrance CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but El Camino Community College District comes closer — median earnings $41,589 against a $11,936 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEl Camino Community College DistrictAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$5,968$25,781
Total net cost$11,936$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,589$22,481
Median debt$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$147,356-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, El Camino Community College District or American Beauty College?

El Camino Community College District, at $5,968 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $19,813 a year, or $91,188 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do El Camino Community College District or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

El Camino Community College District graduates report a median $41,589 ten years after entry, $19,108 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 42% at El Camino Community College District. 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.

El Camino Community College District vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is El Camino Community College District or American Beauty College a better value?
El Camino Community College District 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, El Camino Community College District or American Beauty College?
El Camino Community College District: $5,968/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $19,813 a year, or about $91,188 over four years.
Do El Camino Community College District or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
El Camino Community College District graduates earn a median $41,589 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $19,108 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.