Cosmetology at Bella Cosmetology and Barber College

Bella Cosmetology graduates earn just $11,718 in their first year—roughly $5,000 below Texas's median for cosmetology programs and $5,400 below the national average. While the debt load of $15,000 might seem manageable in absolute terms, it exceeds first-year earnings, creating a challenging financial start for graduates in a field where income should be building immediately after licensure. For context, the top cosmetology programs in Texas consistently produce graduates earning over $26,000 annually, more than double what Bella's graduates report.

The numbers are especially stark given that half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are already financially stretched. Ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally means 95% of cosmetology programs nationwide achieve better graduate outcomes. Even within Texas's competitive landscape of 151 cosmetology schools, this program lands at the 25th percentile—better than the national comparison but still trailing three-quarters of in-state alternatives.

For families financing a cosmetology education, this represents a poor return on investment. Your child could attend several other Texas programs with similar or lower debt burdens but double the earning potential. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal circumstances that make Bella the only viable option, exploring alternatives—particularly programs showing first-year earnings above $20,000—would significantly improve the financial outlook.