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Long Beach City College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Long Beach CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Long Beach City College comes closer — median earnings $38,870 against a $24,808 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLong Beach City CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$6,202$25,781
Total net cost$24,808$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,870$22,481
Median debt$10,500$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$214,608-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Long Beach City College or American Beauty College?

Long Beach City College, at $6,202 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $19,579 a year, or $78,316 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Long Beach City College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Long Beach City College graduates report a median $38,870 ten years after entry, $16,389 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, Long Beach City College or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Long Beach City College, a difference of $5,070. 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 30% at Long Beach City 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.

Long Beach City College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Long Beach City College or American Beauty College a better value?
Long Beach City 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, Long Beach City College or American Beauty College?
Long Beach City College: $6,202/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $19,579 a year, or about $78,316 over four years.
Do Long Beach City College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Long Beach City College graduates earn a median $38,870 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $16,389 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.