Cosmetology at Academy of Cosmetology

Academy of Cosmetology's graduates earn about $15,000 in their first year—roughly $2,000 below Florida's median for cosmetology programs and nearly $3,000 under the national average. Within Florida's crowded field of 127 cosmetology schools, this program sits at the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten programs produce better-earning graduates. The gap becomes stark when you compare to Florida's top performers: Palm Beach State and Florida State College graduates earn $24,000-30,000, nearly double what Academy of Cosmetology graduates typically make.

The $9,500 in debt is manageable in absolute terms, but it's problematic given these earnings. First-year graduates face a debt load equivalent to 63% of their annual income, which can strain budgets when you're making $1,250 per month pre-tax. Earnings do improve to $18,500 by year four—a 23% gain—but that still leaves graduates well behind their peers statewide. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families counting on this credential to improve their financial situation.

For parents funding this program, understand that Florida offers substantially better cosmetology training options at similar or lower cost. Before committing $9,500, look at community colleges and technical centers in the state rankings—many deliver outcomes that would put your child in a much stronger financial position from day one.