Cosmetology at Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta Technical College's cosmetology program sits right in the middle nationally but ranks above the Georgia median, placing in the 60th percentile among the state's 45 cosmetology programs. The more impressive story is the debt load: at $16,324, it's significantly higher than the national median ($9,862), but the program keeps it nearly 1:1 with first-year earnings—a much better ratio than you'll find at most beauty schools. With 54% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a financially vulnerable population, making debt management particularly important.

The concerning pattern is earnings that decline from $17,157 to $15,923 between years one and four. In cosmetology, this often reflects the challenge of building and maintaining a client base, or the physical demands of the profession leading some graduates to reduce hours or leave the field. You're looking at roughly $30,000 annually at best, which makes that $16,324 debt load meaningful even if the ratio looks reasonable on paper.

With fewer than 30 graduates in this data, these numbers could swing considerably year to year. The state's top performers—like Lanier Technical College at $22,686—show there's a $5,000+ earnings gap between mid-tier and leading programs in Georgia. For a parent, this is worth pursuing only if your child is genuinely passionate about the profession and understands the income realities. The debt is manageable, but the earning ceiling is low and apparently gets lower with time.