Cosmetology at Arthur's Beauty College

Arthur's Beauty College graduates start earning significantly below what's typical for cosmetology programs, but show impressive income growth over time. First-year earnings of $14,388 trail the national median by nearly $3,000 and rank in just the 22nd percentile nationally. Within Arkansas, however, this program sits near the middle of the pack—performing slightly below the state median of $14,450 but better than 40% of Arkansas cosmetology programs. This matters because Arkansas has substantially lower cosmetology earnings than most states.

The positive story here is the 47% earnings jump by year four, reaching $21,156—enough to surpass many competing Arkansas programs, including the Academy of Salon and Spa. Debt of $9,833 is manageable and actually below the Arkansas average of $11,750, though those early-career earnings mean graduates will likely face tight budgets during repayment. With nearly 80% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are weighing affordability above all else.

For parents of students committed to cosmetology in Arkansas, this program offers reasonable debt and solid earnings trajectory. But the reality is that Arkansas beauty school graduates earn far less than the national average regardless of school choice. If your child can relocate to higher-paying markets after graduation, that geographic move will likely matter more than which Arkansas program they attend.