Median Earnings (1yr)
$21,496
88th percentile (60th in NV)
Median Debt
$8,081
18% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.38
Manageable
Sample Size
748
Adequate data

Analysis

Avalon Institute's cosmetology program delivers impressive earnings that significantly outperform national expectations. At $21,496 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 26% more than the national median for cosmetology programs and rank in the 88th percentile nationally—meaning this program beats nearly 9 out of 10 comparable programs across the country. The debt load of $8,081 is also reasonable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.38, which means graduates can realistically pay off their loans within two years of typical earnings.

However, within Nevada's competitive cosmetology market, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. While still above the state median of $17,643, there are clearly stronger options in Nevada, with top programs like International Academy of Style producing graduates earning $26,349. The 12% earnings growth over four years is modest but steady, reaching $24,140 by year four.

For families seeking cosmetology training, this represents solid value—graduates earn well above national standards with manageable debt. But if you're committed to staying in Nevada, it's worth comparing against the state's top performers to ensure you're maximizing your investment in this competitive field.

Where Avalon Institute-Las Vegas Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all cosmetology certificate's programs nationally

Avalon Institute-Las VegasOther cosmetology programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Avalon Institute-Las Vegas graduates compare to all programs nationally

Avalon Institute-Las Vegas graduates earn $21k, placing them in the 88th percentile of all cosmetology certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Nevada

Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Nevada (12 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Avalon Institute-Las Vegas$21,496$24,140$8,0810.38
International Academy of Style$26,349$25,422$9,3910.36
Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics$25,502$27,712$12,3940.49
Paul Mitchell the School-Reno$19,523$22,945$10,5560.54
Casal Institute of Nevada$19,225$23,690$9,5000.49
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin$17,643$19,795$9,4990.54
National Median$17,113—$9,8620.58

Other Cosmetology Programs in Nevada

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Nevada schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
International Academy of Style
Reno
—$26,349$9,391
Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics
Las Vegas
—$25,502$12,394
Paul Mitchell the School-Reno
Reno
—$19,523$10,556
Casal Institute of Nevada
Las Vegas
—$19,225$9,500
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin
Las Vegas
—$17,643$9,499

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Avalon Institute-Las Vegas, approximately 73% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 748 graduates with reported earnings and 875 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.