Cosmetology at College of Hair Design-Downtown

College of Hair Design-Downtown sits in an awkward middle ground for Nebraska cosmetology students. While its graduates earn more than most programs nationally (69th percentile), they're trailing considerably within their own state—landing in just the 25th percentile among Nebraska's seven cosmetology schools. That $22,383 four-year median puts them about $2,500 behind the state average and roughly $3,500 below top local competitors like Capitol Beauty School.

The debt load tells a more encouraging story. At $14,119, it's actually higher than the state median but still represents one of the lowest burdens nationally (11th percentile). More importantly, that 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than a year's salary—manageable territory for service industry professionals. The program also shows healthy 16% earnings growth from year one to year four, suggesting graduates build their client base and skills over time.

Here's the practical reality: if your child is committed to cosmetology in Lincoln, they can complete this program without crushing debt. But with similar tuition costs across Nebraska schools (debt levels are comparable statewide), choosing a program whose graduates earn $3,000-6,000 less annually means potentially leaving tens of thousands on the table over a career. If location flexibility exists, the nearby Capitol Beauty School or Entourage Institute deliver meaningfully better earning outcomes for roughly the same investment.