Degree Dividend
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West Los Angeles College vs Advance Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Culver City CA · vs · Private for-profit, Garden Grove CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but West Los Angeles College comes closer — median earnings $38,537 against a $38,536 total, vs $11,575 at Advance Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWest Los Angeles CollegeAdvance Beauty College
Net price / yr$9,634$10,358
Total net cost$38,536$41,432
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,537$11,575
Median debt$13,500
Payback
20-year net return-$234,996-$777,132

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

Which is cheaper, West Los Angeles College or Advance Beauty College?

West Los Angeles College, at $9,634 a year after aid versus $10,358 — a gap of $724 a year, or $2,896 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do West Los Angeles College or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?

West Los Angeles College graduates report a median $38,537 ten years after entry, $26,962 more than the $11,575 at Advance 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?

67% of students finish at Advance Beauty College, against 28% at West Los Angeles 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.

West Los Angeles College vs Advance Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is West Los Angeles College or Advance Beauty College a better value?
West Los Angeles 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, West Los Angeles College or Advance Beauty College?
West Los Angeles College: $9,634/yr net price after aid versus $10,358/yr at Advance Beauty College — a difference of $724 a year, or about $2,896 over four years.
Do West Los Angeles College or Advance Beauty College graduates earn more?
West Los Angeles College graduates earn a median $38,537 ten years after entry, versus $11,575 at Advance Beauty College — a $26,962 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.