Cosmetology at Academy of Hair Technology

Academy of Hair Technology graduates earn about $19,500 in their first year—above both South Carolina's median for cosmetology programs and the national average. Among the state's 28 cosmetology schools, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, performing competitively though not quite matching the top-tier Paul Mitchell schools in the state. The relatively modest debt load of $7,833 is notably lower than both the state median ($11,069) and national median ($9,862), which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about five months of earnings.

The challenge here is stagnation: earnings barely budge between year one and year four, sitting at around $19,600. This is typical for the cosmetology field, where income potential depends more on building a client base, booth rental arrangements, or ownership than on years of experience. The program delivers solid technical training at a reasonable cost, but your child's long-term earnings will hinge on entrepreneurial hustle and location choice rather than the credential itself.

For a quick-entry career with low debt and immediate earnings, this program does what it's supposed to do. Just understand you're paying for professional licensure, not a pathway to significantly higher wages over time.