Cosmetology at Avalon Institute-Aurora

Avalon Institute-Aurora's cosmetology program costs less than average but also underperforms against Colorado competitors. While the $8,885 in debt sits below both national and state medians, the first-year earnings of $19,903 trail Colorado's median of $20,014 and fall well short of top in-state programs—Westminster's Elevate Salon Institute graduates earn $27,005, a 36% premium. Among Colorado's 28 cosmetology programs, Avalon ranks at just the 40th percentile.

The program does show modest income growth, with earnings rising to $21,394 by year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 is manageable, especially compared to programs carrying $15,000+ in loans. That said, starting at under $20,000 means graduates face several years of tight budgets before their income climbs. The 68% Pell grant rate indicates the school serves predominantly lower-income students, for whom even this modest debt load could pose challenges.

For parents weighing Colorado beauty schools, this represents a middle-of-the-road option that won't bury students in debt but also doesn't position them as strongly as competitors. If location in Aurora matters or if other schools feel financially out of reach, Avalon works as a functional entry point to the industry. But families who can access programs like Elevate or Aveda should compare carefully—those extra $5,000-7,000 in first-year earnings compound quickly in a field where tips and commission often supplement base pay.