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

Public, El Cajon CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Grossmont College comes closer — median earnings $40,309 against a $10,622 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGrossmont CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$5,311$25,781
Total net cost$10,622$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,309$22,481
Median debt$8,625$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$171,642-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Grossmont College or American Beauty College?

Grossmont College, at $5,311 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $20,470 a year, or $92,502 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Grossmont College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Grossmont College graduates report a median $40,309 ten years after entry, $17,828 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, Grossmont College or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $8,625 at Grossmont College, a difference of $3,195. 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 37% at Grossmont 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.

Grossmont College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Grossmont College or American Beauty College a better value?
Grossmont 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, Grossmont College or American Beauty College?
Grossmont College: $5,311/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $20,470 a year, or about $92,502 over four years.
Do Grossmont College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Grossmont College graduates earn a median $40,309 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $17,828 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.