Degree Dividend
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San Diego Miramar College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, San Diego CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but San Diego Miramar College comes closer — median earnings $48,224 against a $6,674 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSan Diego Miramar CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$3,337$25,781
Total net cost$6,674$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,224$22,481
Median debt$6,750$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$9,394-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, San Diego Miramar College or American Beauty College?

San Diego Miramar College, at $3,337 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $22,444 a year, or $96,450 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do San Diego Miramar College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

San Diego Miramar College graduates report a median $48,224 ten years after entry, $25,743 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, San Diego Miramar College or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $6,750 at San Diego Miramar College, a difference of $1,320. 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 48% at San Diego Miramar 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.

San Diego Miramar College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is San Diego Miramar College or American Beauty College a better value?
San Diego Miramar College 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, San Diego Miramar College or American Beauty College?
San Diego Miramar College: $3,337/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $22,444 a year, or about $96,450 over four years.
Do San Diego Miramar College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
San Diego Miramar College graduates earn a median $48,224 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $25,743 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.