Cosmetology at Continental School of Beauty Culture-Mattydale

Continental School of Beauty Culture-Mattydale delivers above-average outcomes for cosmetology students, with graduates earning more than peers both nationally and within New York. At $18,208 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $1,100 more than the typical cosmetology program nationally and $1,200 more than other New York programs. The school ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings in both comparisons, meaning graduates outperform three-fifths of their peers.

The debt picture is reasonable for this field. With median debt of $9,617—slightly below the national average—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means graduates owe about half their first-year salary. While this sounds high compared to traditional four-year degrees, it's typical for cosmetology programs given the field's earnings profile. The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four ($18,208 to $21,796) shows meaningful career progression, though absolute earnings remain modest.

However, this program doesn't crack the top tier of New York cosmetology schools. The state's highest-performing programs produce graduates earning $22,000+, about $4,000 more than Continental-Mattydale. For a field where location and reputation matter significantly, prospective students should consider whether this school's solid but not exceptional performance justifies the investment over potentially stronger regional alternatives.