Cosmetology at Emily Griffith Technical College

Emily Griffith Technical College's cosmetology program lands squarely in the middle of Colorado's competitive beauty school landscape. At $20,014 in first-year earnings, graduates match the state median exactly and outperform three-quarters of cosmetology programs nationwide—a meaningful advantage in a field where many schools leave students earning below $18,000. The debt load of $9,500 translates to a manageable 0.47 ratio, meaning graduates earn roughly twice what they borrowed within their first year.

The challenge is that several Denver-area alternatives deliver significantly stronger outcomes. Elevate Salon Institute and Aveda Institute graduates earn 30-35% more right out of the gate, which compounds quickly in a tips-based profession. That said, Emily Griffith's lower debt burden (about $9,500 versus potentially higher at some competitors) and its established presence in Denver's technical education community offer stability. The unusually low Pell grant percentage (just 7%) suggests this school may serve a different demographic than typical certificate programs.

For families focused on minimizing debt while entering the beauty industry, this program offers a straightforward path with below-average financial risk. But if your child is ambitious about quickly building a clientele or working at high-end salons, spending more time researching the top-performing Denver schools could pay off within a few years.