Cosmetology at Cheeks Beauty Academy

Cheeks Beauty Academy manages to keep debt significantly lower than most cosmetology programs while delivering above-average earnings. At $7,850 in median debt—about 20% below both state and national averages—graduates here face one of the better debt-to-earnings situations in the field. The 0.38 ratio means debt equals roughly five months of first-year income, a manageable burden for a certificate program. Earnings of $20,746 place graduates well above the national median of $17,113, though there are higher-earning programs in Colorado if your student can access them.

The 60th percentile ranking within Colorado tells an important story: this isn't the top-performing cosmetology program in the state (schools like Elevate and Aveda Institute post notably higher earnings), but it's solidly middle-of-the-pack while keeping costs in check. For a school serving primarily lower-income students (73% receive Pell grants), that combination matters. The modest earnings growth to $22,347 by year four is typical for the field, where income tends to plateau based on clientele and chair rental arrangements rather than climbing steeply.

This program works best for students prioritizing affordability over maximizing earnings potential. The low debt load creates flexibility to build a client base without crushing monthly payments, though families should recognize that cosmetology careers rarely reach high income levels regardless of training location.