Cosmetology at Academy of Salon Professionals

Graduates from this Sedalia cosmetology program earn roughly $21,000 less annually than the top academy in Missouri—Summit Salon Academy Kansas City—and significantly trail the state median of $20,888. At the 25th percentile statewide, this program underperforms three-quarters of Missouri's cosmetology schools, which matters because most students will stay local after graduation. Even more concerning, earnings actually drop by year four, falling to just $13,475—a pattern that suggests graduates struggle to build sustainable careers in the field.

The debt load of $9,833 is typical for cosmetology training, but with first-year earnings under $15,000, new graduates face real financial strain. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 means you're borrowing two-thirds of your first year's salary, and with earnings declining rather than growing, the burden doesn't ease over time. Nearly half the students here receive Pell grants, indicating many families are betting limited resources on a program that consistently underdelivers compared to other Missouri options.

For parents weighing cosmetology schools, this program's below-average outcomes across the board make it hard to justify. Missouri has better-performing academies that charge similar tuition but produce graduates earning $8,000-$13,000 more annually. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to stay in Sedalia, your investment would likely yield better returns at one of the higher-ranked state programs.