Cosmetology at Clarksburg Beauty Academy and School of Massage Therapy

Clarksburg Beauty Academy graduates earn significantly more than typical cosmetology program completers—ranking in the 80th percentile statewide and 84th nationally with first-year earnings of $21,049. That's $5,200 above West Virginia's median for the field and nearly $4,000 above the national benchmark. At $9,500 in debt, graduates carry manageable loan burdens that represent just five months of earnings, well below the typical year's worth that signals financial stress.

The troubling pattern emerges in year four, when median earnings drop to $16,212—a 23% decline that's unusual even for beauty industry workers who often see income fluctuate with clientele and location changes. This could reflect graduates relocating to lower-cost areas, reducing hours for family reasons, or other life circumstances that disproportionately affect this predominantly female field. With such a small sample size (under 30 tracked graduates), these numbers may not represent the typical trajectory.

For students committed to cosmetology in West Virginia, this program offers a strong starting point: it's the top-performing option in the state with relatively modest debt. The earnings decline matters, but the low initial debt load means graduates aren't locked into high-paying work to service loans. They have flexibility to build their careers—whether opening their own salon, working part-time, or adjusting their practice to fit their lives.