Cosmetology at Capri College-Dubuque

Capri College-Dubuque's cosmetology program sits in an awkward middle ground—better than most programs nationally but trailing half of Iowa's cosmetology schools. While $19,651 in first-year earnings places this program above 72% of cosmetology programs nationwide, it falls short of Iowa's median of $20,226. More tellingly, graduates from similar programs just 90 minutes away in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines are earning $4,000-$7,000 more annually right out of the gate.

The financial picture is manageable but not compelling. At $11,000 in debt—essentially matching Iowa's state median—students will owe about six months of first-year income. That's reasonable for a short certificate program, and earnings do grow to $23,453 by year four. However, that growth still leaves graduates below what their peers at PCI Academy or Aveda Institute are earning in their first year. For a field where building a loyal client base early can compound over time, starting behind matters.

If your child is committed to staying in Dubuque, this program provides viable training at a fair cost. But if relocation is possible, the earnings data suggests that investing the same amount of money and effort at one of Iowa's higher-performing schools would likely yield better returns. The gap isn't catastrophic, but in a profession where every thousand dollars matters, it's worth considering whether proximity to Dubuque is worth $3,000-$4,000 less per year.