Cosmetology at Cosmetology Training Center

Earnings under $15,000 is a tough starting point for any career, and Cosmetology Training Center's graduates face exactly that reality. While the program's debt load is relatively modest at $7,402—significantly lower than Louisiana's typical $12,886 for cosmetology schools—the earnings simply don't justify the investment. At the 20th percentile nationally and 40th percentile in Louisiana, this program underperforms the state median by nearly $1,600 annually, a meaningful gap when base earnings are already barely above minimum wage.

The numbers get more concerning when you look at what's possible in Louisiana. Five cosmetology programs in the state produce graduates earning $18,000 to $19,500—that's $4,500 to $5,500 more per year than CTC graduates make. Over a few years, that difference dwarfs the tuition savings. With 53% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on every dollar of return.

Your child can do better, even staying in Louisiana. The lower debt is genuine, but when earnings fall this far below what comparable local programs deliver, the math doesn't work. Look at schools like VH Barber & Styling Academy or the Aveda institutes—their graduates start with 30-40% higher earnings, which matters enormously at this income level.