Degree Dividend
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Los Angeles Harbor College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Wilmington CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Los Angeles Harbor College comes closer — median earnings $41,133 against a $26,500 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLos Angeles Harbor CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$13,250$25,781
Total net cost$26,500$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,133$22,481
Median debt$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$171,040-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Los Angeles Harbor College or American Beauty College?

Los Angeles Harbor College, at $13,250 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $12,531 a year, or $76,624 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 Harbor College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Los Angeles Harbor College graduates report a median $41,133 ten years after entry, $18,652 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 graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at American Beauty College, against 36% at Los Angeles Harbor 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.

Los Angeles Harbor College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Los Angeles Harbor College or American Beauty College a better value?
Los Angeles Harbor 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, Los Angeles Harbor College or American Beauty College?
Los Angeles Harbor College: $13,250/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $12,531 a year, or about $76,624 over four years.
Do Los Angeles Harbor College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Los Angeles Harbor College graduates earn a median $41,133 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $18,652 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.