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Fullerton College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fullerton College comes closer — median earnings $43,366 against a $12,268 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFullerton CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$6,134$25,781
Total net cost$12,268$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,366$22,481
Median debt$4,500$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$112,148-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Fullerton College or American Beauty College?

Fullerton College, at $6,134 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $19,647 a year, or $90,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fullerton College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Fullerton College graduates report a median $43,366 ten years after entry, $20,885 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, Fullerton College or American Beauty College?

Fullerton College: its completers carry a median $4,500 in federal loans versus $5,430 at American Beauty College, a difference of $930. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at American Beauty College, against 34% at Fullerton 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.

Fullerton College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Fullerton College or American Beauty College a better value?
Fullerton College 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, Fullerton College or American Beauty College?
Fullerton College: $6,134/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $19,647 a year, or about $90,856 over four years.
Do Fullerton College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Fullerton College graduates earn a median $43,366 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $20,885 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.