Cosmetology at Eastern Virginia Career College

Eastern Virginia Career College's cosmetology program starts students at $19,612—about $2,500 above the national average and roughly on par with Virginia's state median. The concerning trend is what happens after: earnings slip to $17,567 by year four, a 10% decline that contradicts the usual pattern of gradual income growth in the beauty industry. While the relatively modest debt load of $7,917 (well below Virginia's typical $13,433 for cosmetology programs) provides some cushion, graduates are still earning less four years out than they did immediately after completion.

The small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates tracked) makes it hard to know if this earnings decline reflects an unlucky few who left the field, part-time work trends, or genuine program limitations. What we can say is that this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—solidly middle-of-the-pack—but the top Virginia cosmetology programs are achieving first-year earnings of $22,000 to $29,000, suggesting significantly better opportunities exist even within the same state.

For parents, the calculation is straightforward: your child would take on relatively light debt but start their career earning about what peers do elsewhere, only to see those earnings drop rather than grow. Unless there are compelling location or schedule reasons to choose Eastern Virginia Career College, exploring programs with stronger upward earnings trajectories would be prudent.