Degree Dividend
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Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork vs Bella Capelli Academy: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Lancaster PA · vs · Private for-profit, Monroeville PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork comes closer — median earnings $29,738 against a $47,884 total, vs $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic BodyworkBella Capelli Academy
Net price / yr$11,971$20,459
Total net cost$47,884$81,836
Median earnings, 10 yrs$29,738$25,817
Median debt$3,167$8,028
Payback
20-year net return-$420,324-$532,696

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

Which is cheaper, Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Bella Capelli Academy?

Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork, at $11,971 a year after aid versus $20,459 — a gap of $8,488 a year, or $33,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?

Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork graduates report a median $29,738 ten years after entry, $3,921 more than the $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. 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, Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Bella Capelli Academy?

Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork: its completers carry a median $3,167 in federal loans versus $8,028 at Bella Capelli Academy, a difference of $4,861. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

76% of students finish at Bella Capelli Academy, against 70% at Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork. 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.

Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork vs Bella Capelli Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Bella Capelli Academy a better value?
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork 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, Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Bella Capelli Academy?
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork: $11,971/yr net price after aid versus $20,459/yr at Bella Capelli Academy — a difference of $8,488 a year, or about $33,952 over four years.
Do Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork graduates earn a median $29,738 ten years after entry, versus $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy — a $3,921 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.