Los Angeles City College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Los Angeles City College comes closer — median earnings $36,190 against a $20,522 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Los Angeles City College | American Beauty College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,261 | $25,781 |
| Total net cost | $20,522 | $103,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,190 | $22,481 |
| Median debt | $12,750 | $5,430 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$263,922 | -$620,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Los Angeles City College or American Beauty College?
Los Angeles City College, at $10,261 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $15,520 a year, or $82,602 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Los Angeles City College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Los Angeles City College graduates report a median $36,190 ten years after entry, $13,709 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, Los Angeles City College or American Beauty College?
American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $12,750 at Los Angeles City College, a difference of $7,320. 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 29% at Los Angeles 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.