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Shasta College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Redding CA · vs · Private for-profit, West Covina CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Shasta College comes closer — median earnings $39,269 against a $5,756 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureShasta CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$2,878$25,781
Total net cost$5,756$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,269$22,481
Median debt$14,250$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$187,576-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Shasta College or American Beauty College?

Shasta College, at $2,878 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $22,903 a year, or $97,368 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Shasta College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Shasta College graduates report a median $39,269 ten years after entry, $16,788 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, Shasta College or American Beauty College?

American Beauty College: its completers carry a median $5,430 in federal loans versus $14,250 at Shasta College, a difference of $8,820. 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 23% at Shasta 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.

Shasta College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Shasta College or American Beauty College a better value?
Shasta 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, Shasta College or American Beauty College?
Shasta College: $2,878/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $22,903 a year, or about $97,368 over four years.
Do Shasta College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Shasta College graduates earn a median $39,269 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $16,788 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.