Cosmetology at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Lafayette

At $14,397 in first-year earnings, Aveda Lafayette's cosmetology program lands in the bottom half nationally and within Louisiana's cosmetology landscape. While the debt load of $9,557 is reasonable—lower than Louisiana's median of nearly $13,000—graduates are earning about $1,200 less annually than the typical Louisiana cosmetology graduate and nearly $3,000 below the national median. Among the 43 Louisiana cosmetology programs, this sits near the 40th percentile, meaning six in ten similar programs produce higher-earning graduates.

The 16% earnings growth to $16,736 by year four is encouraging, though this still trails other Aveda institutes in Louisiana. Students at Aveda Covington, for instance, start at $18,605—giving them a $4,200 head start that compounds over time. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, many here are counting on this credential for economic mobility, but the return is notably weaker than at competing schools within an hour's drive.

The modest debt makes this survivable rather than catastrophic, but parents should recognize their child will likely start below $15,000 annually—challenging even in Lafayette's lower cost-of-living environment. If your student is committed to cosmetology and considering Aveda specifically, the Covington or Baton Rouge campuses show materially stronger outcomes. For this location, expect your graduate to work their way up slowly rather than launch into immediate financial independence.