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Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, San Marcos CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos comes closer — median earnings $38,673 against a $109,460 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePima Medical Institute-San MarcosAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$27,365$25,781
Total net cost$109,460$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,673$22,481
Median debt$9,500$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$303,200-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College, at $25,781 a year after aid versus $27,365 — a gap of $1,584 a year, or $6,336 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates report a median $38,673 ten years after entry, $16,192 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, Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos, a difference of $4,070. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos, 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.

Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos or American Beauty College a better value?
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos 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, Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos or American Beauty College?
American Beauty College: $25,781/yr net price after aid versus $27,365/yr at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos — a difference of $1,584 a year, or about $6,336 over four years.
Do Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates earn a median $38,673 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $16,192 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.