Cosmetology at Don Roberts School of Hair Design

With a small graduating class, the numbers here tell a cautiously optimistic story. Don Roberts graduates earn $17,400 in their first year—slightly above the national median but below Indiana's typical $18,592. More importantly, they're carrying $14,637 in debt for a career that starts at less than $20,000 annually. That's a debt burden 25% higher than Indiana's typical cosmetology graduate faces, though the program does keep costs lower than most nationally.

The upside? Earnings grow steadily, reaching $20,593 by year four—a meaningful 18% increase that suggests graduates build their client base over time. Still, at the 40th percentile among Indiana programs, this ranks below the state median, and considerably behind top performers like Aveda Fredric's Institute ($24,147) or even nearby Paul Mitchell-Merrillville ($19,685). For a profession where reputation and placement matter, that gap warrants attention.

If your child is committed to cosmetology in Northwest Indiana, understand this is a middle-of-the-road option with higher-than-average debt. The small sample size means these figures could shift considerably with future graduates. Consider whether starting $2,000-4,000 behind peers at better-performing Indiana schools is worth any convenience or preference factors this particular school offers.