Cosmetology at Central Carolina Community College

Central Carolina Community College's cosmetology program stands out in a crowded field, placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among North Carolina's 75 cosmetology programs. At $24,101 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $7,000 more than the typical cosmetology certificate holder in NC and over $4,000 more than the national median. The debt load of $12,167 is actually below the state median ($12,999) and translates to a manageable 0.50 ratio—meaning graduates owe about six months of their first-year income.

The slight earnings dip to $23,264 by year four is worth noting, though this pattern isn't unusual in beauty services where early momentum from intensive salon hours sometimes gives way to more flexible schedules or business ownership transitions. Even with this decline, earnings remain competitive with top programs like Wake Tech and well above most alternatives.

For parents weighing cosmetology training, this program delivers unusually strong outcomes in a field where many schools struggle to help graduates earn livable wages. The combination of above-average earnings and below-state-average debt makes this one of the better-value cosmetology certificates available in North Carolina—a practical choice if your child is committed to the beauty industry.