Cosmetology at Celebrity Barber School

Celebrity Barber School's cosmetology program produces earnings well below both Louisiana and national benchmarks, with first-year graduates earning just $14,178—about $1,400 less than Louisiana's median and $3,000 below the national average. Among Louisiana's 43 cosmetology programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of in-state alternatives deliver better outcomes. The debt load of $13,833 roughly equals a graduate's entire first year of earnings, creating immediate financial strain that's unusual for cosmetology programs where debt typically runs lower.

The 30% earnings growth to $18,486 by year four offers some relief, but even this figure falls short of what top Louisiana programs achieve in year one. VH Barber & Styling Academy graduates, for instance, earn $19,545 right out of the gate. With over half the student body receiving Pell grants, many attending Celebrity likely have limited financial cushion to absorb this debt-to-earnings mismatch during those critical early years when building a client base already presents challenges.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant comparison shopping. For parents considering this investment, Louisiana offers multiple cosmetology programs where graduates earn $3,000-5,000 more annually while carrying similar or lower debt loads. Given that cosmetology careers depend heavily on building repeat business, starting with lower debt and higher immediate earnings makes a meaningful difference in those foundational years.