Cosmetology at Belbo Beauty Institute

Belbo Beauty Institute graduates start modestly but show something rare in cosmetology: meaningful earnings growth. That 26% jump from $16,842 to $21,185 over four years suggests students are building sustainable careers rather than hitting an immediate ceiling, and at 60th percentile among Louisiana cosmetology programs, this school outperforms most in-state alternatives despite slightly lower first-year earnings.

The debt picture offers real relief compared to typical beauty school loans. At $12,500, graduates owe about $2,750 less than what most cosmetology students in Louisiana carry, and with that 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio, they're looking at manageable payments even during lean early years. More than half the students qualify for Pell grants, yet the school keeps debt reasonable—that's not a given in this sector.

Here's the practical reality: your child won't earn much initially, but they're positioning themselves in the upper half of Louisiana cosmetology earners with debt they can actually handle. If they're committed to building a beauty career in Shreveport's market—not just getting licensed and drifting—the trajectory here beats spending more at higher-profile schools that leave graduates with steeper loans and similar starting points.