Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa vs Advance Beauty College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa comes closer — median earnings $26,897 against a $87,680 total, vs $11,575 at Advance Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa | Advance Beauty College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,920 | $10,358 |
| Total net cost | $87,680 | $41,432 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $26,897 | $11,575 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$516,940 | -$777,132 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa or Advance Beauty College?
Advance Beauty College, at $10,358 a year after aid versus $21,920 — a gap of $11,562 a year, or $46,248 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa graduates report a median $26,897 ten years after entry, $15,322 more than the $11,575 at Advance 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?
82% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa, against 67% at Advance Beauty 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.