Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa vs American 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 $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa | American Beauty College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,920 | $25,781 |
| Total net cost | $87,680 | $103,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $26,897 | $22,481 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $5,430 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$516,940 | -$620,704 |
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 American Beauty College?
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa, at $21,920 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $3,861 a year, or $15,444 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 American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa graduates report a median $26,897 ten years after entry, $4,416 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, Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa or American Beauty College?
American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $13,000 at Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa, a difference of $7,570. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa, against 69% at American 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.