Cosmetology at Career Academy of Hair Design

Career Academy of Hair Design sits right in the middle of Arkansas's competitive cosmetology market, but that positioning tells an interesting story. While its graduates earn about $16,600 in their first year—slightly below the national average—they're actually doing better than 60% of cosmetology programs in Arkansas, where the typical graduate earns just $14,450. The debt load of $9,855 is in line with both state and national norms, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 that most graduates should be able to handle.

The 16% earnings growth between years one and four is solid for this field, bringing graduates to over $19,000—near the national 75th percentile. This suggests graduates are building clientele and developing their skills effectively. With nearly two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants, the school clearly serves working-class students seeking an affordable entry into the beauty industry. The robust data sample gives confidence that these outcomes are reliable.

For Arkansas families, this program represents a straightforward path into cosmetology without excessive debt. It won't match the earning power of top state programs like Arkansas Beauty School-Little Rock, but it delivers consistent, middle-tier results. Students should expect to work their way up through the field rather than land high-earning positions immediately, but the debt burden is light enough to make that climb manageable.