Cosmetology at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton

Creative Images Institute graduates start with notably low earnings—$16,806 in the first year falls below both the Ohio median ($17,110) and ranks in just the 40th percentile among state cosmetology programs. More concerning, first-year earnings lag significantly behind Ohio's top-performing schools, where graduates typically earn $22,000-$24,000. However, the program keeps debt manageable at $12,664, which is actually lower than the state median and means graduates face monthly loan payments of roughly $140—a reasonable burden even at entry-level salon wages.

The saving grace here is trajectory: earnings jump 43% to $24,029 by year four, suggesting graduates who stick with the field see meaningful income growth. That four-year figure puts them closer to where top programs start, though it represents a slower ramp-up period. With a 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates aren't drowning in debt, but they're also entering a field where initial earnings barely crack minimum wage territory.

For families evaluating this program, the core question is whether your child can weather those difficult first years while building a client base. The school serves a predominantly working-class population (52% receive Pell grants), and the numbers suggest it provides an affordable entry point to cosmetology—just not a fast track to financial stability. If your child is passionate about the field and has family support or supplemental income sources for those early years, the manageable debt load makes this a viable option.