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Hartnell College vs Advance Beauty College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hartnell College comes closer — median earnings $44,316 against a $4,078 total, vs $11,575 at Advance Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHartnell CollegeAdvance Beauty College
Net price / yr$2,039$10,358
Total net cost$4,078$41,432
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,316$11,575
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$84,958-$777,132

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

Which is cheaper, Hartnell College or Advance Beauty College?

Hartnell College, at $2,039 a year after aid versus $10,358 — a gap of $8,319 a year, or $37,354 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hartnell College or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?

Hartnell College graduates report a median $44,316 ten years after entry, $32,741 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 40% at Hartnell 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.

Hartnell College vs Advance Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Hartnell College or Advance Beauty College a better value?
Hartnell 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, Hartnell College or Advance Beauty College?
Hartnell College: $2,039/yr net price after aid versus $10,358/yr at Advance Beauty College — a difference of $8,319 a year, or about $37,354 over four years.
Do Hartnell College or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?
Hartnell College graduates earn a median $44,316 ten years after entry, versus $11,575 at Advance Beauty College — a $32,741 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.