Cosmetology at COLLECTIV Academy-Cranston

COLLECTIV Academy-Cranston produces cosmetology graduates who start modestly but show something unusual in this field: meaningful income growth. First-year earnings of $16,082 climb to $20,701 by year four—a 29% increase that outpaces the typical trajectory for beauty professionals. While the starting salary sits slightly below both state and national medians, graduates appear to build client bases and skills that translate into better earnings over time.

The $11,200 debt load is reasonable for the field and manageable given the earnings progression. At 70% of first-year income, it's neither negligible nor crushing—particularly as earnings improve. Within Rhode Island's small cosmetology market (just three programs), COLLECTIV sits in the middle, trailing Empire Beauty School-Warwick but performing comparably to Paul Mitchell. The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, suggesting it provides accessible training for lower-income Rhode Islanders looking to enter the beauty industry.

For parents evaluating this program, the key question is whether their child has the drive to build a clientele over time. This isn't a quick-earnings path—the first year will be financially tight—but graduates who stick with it see their income grow in a field where that's relatively uncommon. If your child is serious about cosmetology as a career and willing to weather lean early years, the numbers suggest a viable investment.