Cosmetology at Daytona College

Daytona College's cosmetology certificate delivers something rare in beauty training: steady income growth paired with manageable debt. Graduates earn $20,872 in their first year—outpacing 83% of cosmetology programs nationally—then see earnings climb to over $25,000 by year four. That 21% growth trajectory matters in a field where many programs show flat or declining earnings. The $7,798 in typical debt sits well below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's entirely workable even on entry-level stylist wages.

The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida's 127 cosmetology schools, which puts it solidly in the top half statewide but not among the elite performers like Florida State College at Jacksonville. Still, it's beating the state median by $4,100 in first-year earnings while keeping debt $1,700 lower than typical Florida programs. For families in the Daytona Beach area, this represents a practical path into the beauty industry without the debt burden that often comes with for-profit beauty schools.

The value proposition here is straightforward: you're getting above-average earnings potential with below-average debt, and the upward earnings trend suggests graduates are building sustainable careers rather than churning through entry-level positions. For students committed to cosmetology, this is a solid in-state option.