Cosmetology at Acaydia School of Aesthetics

Acaydia graduates outperform 95% of cosmetology programs nationally, earning $25,253 in their first year—nearly $8,000 above the national median and $5,000 above Utah's typical program. With debt of just $7,668 (manageable at a 0.30 ratio to first-year income), this program delivers strong near-term value. Among Utah's 32 cosmetology schools, it lands in the 60th percentile, trailing only a handful of specialized programs while maintaining far lower debt than most competitors.

The concern is what happens after year one. Earnings drop 16% by year four, falling to $21,119. This pattern isn't unusual in cosmetology—where building a client base takes time but chair rental costs and industry transitions can erode income—but it means the initial earnings advantage narrows considerably. Still, even at year four, graduates earn more than the national median for this field.

For a parent, this means: relatively low financial risk (you're looking at under $8,000 in debt) with above-average early returns. The program works well if your child enters with a clear business plan—whether that's booth rental, working in a medical spa, or building toward salon ownership. The earnings decline suggests graduates need to think beyond entry-level employment to maintain their initial advantage.