Cosmetology at Cerritos College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Distribution
How Cerritos College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Cerritos College graduates earn $13k, placing them in the 15th percentile of all cosmetology certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (130 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerritos College | $13,133 | $17,476 | — | — |
| The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose | $24,660 | $24,953 | $10,376 | 0.42 |
| San Jose City College | $23,253 | — | — | — |
| MTI College | $21,371 | $22,802 | $10,550 | 0.49 |
| Institute of Technology | $21,184 | — | $13,341 | 0.63 |
| Shasta School of Cosmetology | $20,144 | — | — | — |
| National Median | $17,113 | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Other Cosmetology Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose San Jose | — | $24,660 | $10,376 |
| San Jose City College San Jose | $1,366 | $23,253 | — |
| MTI College Sacramento | — | $21,371 | $10,550 |
| Institute of Technology Clovis | — | $21,184 | $13,341 |
| Shasta School of Cosmetology Redding | — | $20,144 | — |
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 Cerritos College, approximately 35% 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.