Degree Dividend
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Taft College vs American Beauty College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Taft College comes closer — median earnings $38,861 against a $5,646 total, vs $22,481 at American Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTaft CollegeAmerican Beauty College
Net price / yr$2,823$25,781
Total net cost$5,646$103,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,861$22,481
Median debt$5,430
Payback
20-year net return-$195,626-$620,704

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

Which is cheaper, Taft College or American Beauty College?

Taft College, at $2,823 a year after aid versus $25,781 — a gap of $22,958 a year, or $97,478 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Taft College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?

Taft College graduates report a median $38,861 ten years after entry, $16,380 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 graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at American Beauty College, against 28% at Taft 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.

Taft College vs American Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Taft College or American Beauty College a better value?
Taft 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, Taft College or American Beauty College?
Taft College: $2,823/yr net price after aid versus $25,781/yr at American Beauty College — a difference of $22,958 a year, or about $97,478 over four years.
Do Taft College or American Beauty College graduates earn more?
Taft College graduates earn a median $38,861 ten years after entry, versus $22,481 at American Beauty College — a $16,380 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.