Cosmetology at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-San Antonio

Aveda Arts in San Antonio occupies middle ground among Texas cosmetology programs—its graduates earn notably more than the state median ($22,569 versus $16,412 four years out), ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. While that's solidly above average, it's nowhere near what top Texas schools deliver, where graduates at places like Paul Mitchell-Austin or Champion Beauty College earn over $26,000.

The program's real strength is its earnings trajectory. First-year graduates start at $17,378 but see a 30% increase to $22,569 by year four—suggesting graduates successfully build their clientele and skills over time. The debt load of $8,880 is manageable, taking just six months of earnings to repay, and it's actually below both state and national medians. With half the student body receiving Pell grants, this accessibility matters.

Here's the reality: cosmetology school is primarily about launching a career where success depends heavily on individual hustle, location choice, and client-building skills. Aveda graduates do slightly better than most Texas peers, but the top programs show there's significant room for improvement. If your child is committed to beauty services and can get comparable training elsewhere in Texas for less money or with stronger earning outcomes, compare carefully. Otherwise, this represents a reasonable path into the industry with debt you can actually handle.