Cosmetology at Aveda Institute-Twin Falls

The first-year earnings of $19,015 look decent—above both the national median ($17,113) and ranking in the 60th percentile among Idaho's 15 cosmetology programs. However, earnings drop to just $15,205 by year four, a 20% decline that's troubling in a field where experienced stylists typically build clientele and command higher prices. The $9,400 debt load is manageable at roughly half of first-year earnings, but you're essentially paying that debt while earning peak income right out of the gate.

Idaho has stronger options nearby. Paul Mitchell's two campuses consistently produce graduates earning over $21,000, while Oliver Finley Academy graduates earn around $20,000. These programs cost slightly more but deliver $5,000+ higher earnings when it matters most—during those critical first years when you're both building skills and paying off loans. The earnings gap only widens over time as Aveda Institute graduates see their income decline rather than grow.

For a parent, this means your child would be starting behind peers from other Idaho programs and losing ground each year. In cosmetology, where success depends heavily on reputation and client relationships, that downward earnings trajectory suggests something isn't translating from training to sustainable career success. Unless there's a compelling reason to choose this specific location, the data points toward other Idaho programs that set graduates up for steadier financial footing.