Cosmetology at Barber & Beauty Institute of New York

The Barber & Beauty Institute delivers above-average starting earnings at $19,470—outperforming 60% of New York cosmetology programs and 70% nationally—but graduates face an unusual earnings drop to $16,970 by year four. Most concerning for budget-conscious families: while the debt load itself is modest at $4,848, it ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs cost less. Given that the median cosmetology program nationally charges $9,862 in debt for similar outcomes, this represents relatively expensive training for the field.

The shrinking earnings pattern deserves attention. Many beauty professionals eventually build clientele and earn more over time, but these graduates are moving in the opposite direction—potentially indicating high turnover or limited career advancement. Still, the program serves a majority low-income population (57% receive Pell grants) and gets them to earnings that beat most New York competitors in the first year, which matters when you need immediate income.

For families considering this path: you're paying a premium compared to other New York cosmetology schools, but getting better initial placement than most. If your child plans to quickly build a loyal client base or open their own business—goals that typically take longer than four years—the declining graduate earnings may not reflect their actual trajectory. However, if affordability is the priority, lower-cost programs in the state produce graduates earning nearly the same amounts.