Cosmetology at Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology

The numbers here tell a troubling story: graduates earn just $9,293 in their first year—putting this program in the bottom 10% statewide and bottom 5% nationally. That's roughly $5,300 below California's median for cosmetology programs and $7,800 below the national benchmark. Even after four years, when earnings double to $18,385, graduates still trail the typical first-year earnings at stronger California programs. The debt burden of $5,476 is relatively modest compared to national averages, but when you're earning under $10,000 annually, even manageable debt becomes a strain.

The 98% earnings growth over four years might seem encouraging, but it's largely recovering from an extremely low starting point. California has 130 cosmetology programs, and the top performers like San Jose City College and MTI College see graduates earning $21,000-$24,000 in early career—more than double what Academy of Esthetics graduates make initially. With over half the students receiving Pell grants, these low earnings hit families who can least afford extended financial struggle.

The small sample size means individual circumstances could skew these numbers, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious alternatives. Look at community college cosmetology programs in California, which often deliver better outcomes at lower cost. Your child deserves a program that positions them for sustainable earnings from the start.