Cosmetology at Advance Beauty College

Advance Beauty College's cosmetology program produces graduates earning just $11,000 annually—roughly half what typical California cosmetology graduates make and well below even the modest national average of $17,113. This places the program in the bottom 5% nationally and bottom quarter within California, where the state median is $14,600. With virtually no earnings growth over four years, graduates face a challenging financial reality in an already low-paying field.

The debt picture offers some relief, with graduates owing $8,135 compared to the national average of nearly $10,000. However, when your annual earnings barely exceed $11,000, even this relatively modest debt burden creates a concerning debt-to-income ratio of 0.74. For perspective, top California programs like The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose help graduates earn over $24,000 annually—more than double what Advance Beauty College delivers.

For families considering this investment, the numbers are stark: your child would earn less than minimum wage in many California cities after completing this program. While cosmetology can lead to entrepreneurial opportunities that aren't captured in these employment data, starting from such a low earnings foundation makes building a sustainable career significantly more challenging. Consider programs with stronger track records or explore whether your child might be better served by a community college alternative.