Cosmetology at Arkansas Technical School

Arkansas Technical School's cosmetology program carries an unusually high debt burden for modest returns. While graduates earn slightly above the state median—ranking in the 60th percentile among Arkansas cosmetology programs—the $16,500 in debt puts borrowers at the 95th percentile nationally. That means this program loads students with more debt than 95% of cosmetology programs across the country, despite delivering middle-of-the-pack earnings. With first-year earnings of $17,388, graduates face nearly dollar-for-dollar debt to income, making loan repayment challenging on a cosmetology salary.

The earnings trajectory adds another concern: graduates actually see income slip to $16,570 by year four, suggesting the typical career plateau happens quickly in this field. Compare this to top performers in Arkansas—Arkansas Beauty School graduates earn $21,161 within a year, demonstrating that location and training quality matter significantly in this state's beauty industry. That $4,000 difference translates to meaningful breathing room when managing debt.

For a family considering this program, the math is straightforward: your child would borrow 67% more than the typical Arkansas cosmetology student while earning only 15% more. Given that nearly two-thirds of students here receive Pell grants, many families are already stretching financially. Unless your child can secure substantial scholarships or family support to reduce borrowing, Arkansas Beauty School or Academy of Salon and Spa would deliver better value in the same metro area.