Degree Dividend
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Laurus College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, San Luis Obispo CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Laurus College comes closer — median earnings $30,896 against a $45,466 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLaurus CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$22,733$25,781
Total net cost$45,466$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,896$22,481
Median debt$32,416$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$394,746-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Laurus College or American Beauty College?

Laurus College, at $22,733 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $3,048 a year, or $57,658 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Laurus College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Laurus College graduates report a median $30,896 ten years after entry, $8,415 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, Laurus College or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $32,416 at Laurus College, a difference of $26,986. 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 43% at Laurus 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.

Laurus College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Laurus College or American Beauty College a better value?
Laurus 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, Laurus College or American Beauty College?
Laurus College: $22,733/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $3,048 a year, or about $57,658 over four years.
Do Laurus College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Laurus College graduates earn a median $30,896 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $8,415 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.