Cosmetology at Elevate Salon Institute

At first glance, Elevate Salon Institute's numbers look rough—graduates earn just $14,296 in their first year, well below both the national median ($17,113) and Michigan's average ($15,179). But here's what matters more: that $9,833 in debt is manageable given how cosmetology careers actually work. The 32% earnings jump to $18,905 by year four suggests graduates are building clientele and moving beyond entry-level assistant roles, which is exactly the typical trajectory for new stylists.

The bigger concern is competitive positioning. While Elevate ranks in the 40th percentile among Michigan's 41 cosmetology programs, the top programs in the state—like Northern Michigan University at $21,628 or Taylor Andrews at $20,460—demonstrate significantly stronger earning potential. Your child would be starting $7,000+ behind graduates from these higher-performing programs, a gap that compounds over time as stylists build their client base and reputation.

For parents, the question is whether Elevate's location in Royal Oak or specific training approach justifies settling for middle-of-the-pack outcomes. The debt won't crush anyone, but starting a commission-based career with below-average initial earnings means a longer runway to financial stability. If cosmetology is the goal, it's worth comparing the specific training, salon connections, and job placement support across Michigan's stronger-performing programs before committing.