Cosmetology at Davis Technical College

Davis Technical College's cosmetology program keeps costs remarkably low—just $5,500 in median debt puts it in the 95th percentile nationally for affordability—but the earnings trajectory in Utah tells a more complicated story. While first-year earnings of $18,745 beat the national median by about 10%, they fall roughly $2,000 short of what the typical Utah cosmetology graduate earns. In a state with 32 cosmetology programs, Davis Tech graduates land at the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten comparable programs deliver stronger early earnings.

The 18% earnings growth to $22,049 by year four offers some reassurance that graduates aren't trapped at entry-level wages, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means students can realistically manage repayment. Still, those fourth-year earnings remain about $1,000 below the state median. If you're comparing options within Utah, programs like Top Nails & Hair Beauty School and Medspa Academies show graduates earning $5,000-$8,000 more annually—a meaningful difference when starting salaries are this compressed.

The practical takeaway: This program won't burden your child with debt, which matters in an industry where six-figure loans would be disastrous. But if building clientele quickly matters—and in cosmetology, higher early earnings often reflect better placement support or stronger employer networks—the mid-tier performance among Utah programs deserves scrutiny. The low cost provides a safety net; just verify what explains the earnings gap compared to the state's stronger programs.