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New York Film Academy vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Burbank CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but New York Film Academy comes closer — median earnings $29,633 against a $156,044 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNew York Film AcademyAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$39,011$25,781
Total net cost$156,044$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$29,633$22,481
Median debt$16,000$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$530,584-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, New York Film Academy or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College, at $25,781 a year after aid versus $39,011 — a gap of $13,230 a year, or $52,920 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do New York Film Academy or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

New York Film Academy graduates report a median $29,633 ten years after entry, $7,152 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, New York Film Academy or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $16,000 at New York Film Academy, a difference of $10,570. 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 68% at New York Film Academy. 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.

New York Film Academy vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is New York Film Academy or American Beauty College a better value?
New York Film Academy 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, New York Film Academy or American Beauty College?
American Beauty College: $25,781/yr net price after aid versus $39,011/yr at New York Film Academy — a difference of $13,230 a year, or about $52,920 over four years.
Do New York Film Academy or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
New York Film Academy graduates earn a median $29,633 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $7,152 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.