Cosmetology at Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz

Emma's Beauty Academy graduates earn about $4,200 less than the typical Puerto Rico cosmetology program graduate in their first year—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide. That gap matters when you're starting at just $8,607 annually, well below what grads at Nova College or Institucion Chaviano earn right out of the gate. Nationally, this program sits at the bottom 5% for earnings, though Puerto Rico's cosmetology wages run significantly lower than mainland states across the board.

The silver lining? Strong earnings momentum and minimal debt. Graduates see their income jump 47% to $12,662 by year four, moving closer to the state median. With just $2,625 in debt (substantially less than the $3,500 state median), the financial burden remains manageable—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 means most graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of first-year earnings. Compare that to the $9,862 national median debt, and the school's restrained borrowing looks responsible.

For families prioritizing low debt over maximizing starting income, this works. But if your child needs higher immediate earnings to support themselves or their family, consider the top-performing programs that start $4,000+ higher annually. The nearly three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants here suggests many families face that exact calculation.