Cosmetology at Coba Academy

Coba Academy's cosmetology program shows something unusual: graduates start well below average but experience substantial income growth. First-year earnings of $14,146 rank in just the 21st percentile nationally, yet by year four, graduates reach $20,278—a 43% increase that suggests skills and clientele build meaningfully over time. In California's crowded cosmetology market, this program lands near the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile, which is noteworthy given that many California cosmetology graduates struggle to match even the state's modest median.

The debt picture is manageable at $9,806, roughly on par with both state and national norms for cosmetology programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 based on first-year income, graduates face about seven months of earnings in debt—reasonable by cosmetology standards, particularly given the earnings trajectory. The challenge is surviving those early years when income barely covers basic expenses in Southern California.

For parents, this comes down to financial runway. Can your child live at home or receive support while building their career? If so, the growth pattern here suggests investment in the program could pay off. But a graduate needing to be immediately self-sufficient in Anaheim will face real hardship on $14,000 annually. The moderate debt helps, but the income gap matters more than the debt load in this equation.