Cosmetology at Clover Park Technical College

The earnings trajectory here tells an encouraging story: graduates start at $19,389 but reach $27,734 within four years—a 43% jump that significantly outpaces typical wage growth in service fields. While that first-year figure looks modest, Clover Park's cosmetology program ranks in the 76th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Washington programs, meaning graduates are earning more than most of their counterparts right out of the gate.

The $11,000 debt load sits right at Washington's median for cosmetology programs and just slightly above the national average. More importantly, that debt represents just over half of first-year earnings—a manageable ratio that becomes even more comfortable as income rises. By year four, graduates are earning 2.5 times their initial debt burden, which compares favorably to many technical programs.

The main caveat: this data comes from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes may vary more than these numbers suggest. But the fundamentals are sound—reasonable debt paired with above-average earnings that grow meaningfully over time. For families concerned about the return on a cosmetology credential, Clover Park demonstrates that the associate's degree path can deliver both competitive starting wages and solid income growth as graduates build their client base and skills.