Merced College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Merced College comes closer — median earnings $37,815 against a $20,160 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Merced College | American Beauty College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,040 | $25,781 |
| Total net cost | $20,160 | $103,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,815 | $22,481 |
| Median debt | — | $5,430 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$231,060 | -$620,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Merced College or American Beauty College?
Merced College, at $5,040 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $20,741 a year, or $82,964 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Merced College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Merced College graduates report a median $37,815 ten years after entry, $15,334 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 Merced 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.