Median Earnings (1yr)
$22,885
95th percentile
60th percentile in Utah
Median Debt
$6,150
38% below national median

Analysis

Cameo College delivers something rare in cosmetology education: strong earnings with minimal debt burden. At $22,885 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 34% more than the national median for cosmetology programs and outpace Utah's state median by 12%. More importantly, they carry just $6,150 in debt—about two-thirds less than typical graduates in this field. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can realistically pay off their loans within months, not years, while building their client base.

The earnings trajectory here matters too. By year four, graduates reach $25,342, representing solid 11% growth as stylists develop their skills and clientele. While a handful of Utah programs edge slightly higher in earnings, none combine Cameo's income performance with such low debt. Among the state's 32 cosmetology programs, this one lands in the 60th percentile—solidly above average—but it's the financial accessibility that sets it apart. Nationally, it ranks in the 95th percentile for both earnings and low debt, a combination that's genuinely unusual in beauty education.

For parents worried about cosmetology school debt horror stories, this program offers a different equation. Your child can enter a licensed profession with manageable debt and competitive earning power from day one. The numbers suggest Cameo focuses on efficient training rather than extended programs that inflate costs without boosting outcomes.

Where Cameo College of Essential Beauty Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all cosmetology certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Cameo College of Essential Beauty graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Cameo College of Essential Beauty$22,885$25,342+11%
Collectiv Academy$20,565$30,570+49%
Medspa Academies$25,502$27,712+9%
Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare$24,463$26,356+8%
Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan$20,460$25,241+23%

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Utah (32 total in state)

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SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Cameo College of Essential BeautyMurray$22,885$25,342$6,1500.27
Top Nails & Hair Beauty SchoolTaylorsville$27,296$22,825
Medspa AcademiesSouth Jordan$25,502$27,712$12,3940.49
Acaydia School of AestheticsProvo$25,253$21,119$7,6680.30
Skinworks School of Advanced SkincareSalt Lake City$24,463$26,356$7,6670.31
Mandalyn AcademyAmerican Fork$21,711$24,436$7,6670.35
National Median$17,113$9,8620.58

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with cosmetology graduates

Skincare Specialists

Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance. Includes electrologists and laser hair removal specialists.

$41,560/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Barbers

Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.

$35,420/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

$35,420/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.

$34,660/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Personal Service Managers, All Other

All personal service managers not listed separately.

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Spa Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of a spa facility. Coordinate programs, schedule and direct staff, and oversee financial activities.

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers

Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Shampooers

Shampoo and rinse customers' hair.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cameo College of Essential Beauty, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 140 graduates with reported earnings and 152 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.