Cosmetology at Advanced Barber College and Hair Design

The numbers here reveal a serious problem: graduates earn less than $10,000 their first year out—barely a third of what typical Texas cosmetology program graduates make. Among 151 Texas programs, this ranks in the bottom 10th percentile, and nationally it performs even worse, landing in just the 5th percentile. Top programs in the state like Paul Mitchell-Austin and Champion Beauty College report graduates earning over $26,000, nearly triple what this program delivers.

The low debt load of $4,750 (well below the state median of $8,467) is the only silver lining here, but it doesn't change the fundamental math. Earning under $10,000 annually means graduates are likely working very limited hours or struggling to find consistent work in the field. For a program serving 80% Pell grant recipients—students who need clear paths to economic mobility—these outcomes fall dramatically short. Even entry-level positions in other fields often pay better than what these graduates are achieving.

If your child is serious about cosmetology in Texas, look at programs in the upper half of the state's performance distribution. The debt here is manageable, but graduating into near-poverty-level earnings defeats the purpose of career training. This program's outcomes suggest either poor job placement support or insufficient preparation for the licensing exam and client-building skills that drive earnings in this field.