Cosmetology at Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics

Entourage Institute graduates earn about $24,000 in their first year—roughly $8,900 more than the national median for cosmetology programs and placing this program in the 95th percentile nationwide. But context matters here: within Nebraska, these earnings only reach the 60th percentile, and the top program in the state (Capitol Beauty School) sees graduates earning nearly $2,000 more. The bigger concern is that earnings decline to $21,576 by year four, a 10% drop that's unusual even in cosmetology where early career earnings tend to plateau rather than fall.

The debt load of $15,137 is 50% higher than the national median and above Nebraska's typical $13,060, though graduates still maintain a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. With half the student body receiving Pell grants, this school serves many financially vulnerable students who are taking on above-average debt for middle-of-the-pack results in Nebraska's cosmetology market. The declining earnings trajectory suggests graduates may struggle to build sustainable careers or advance into more lucrative specialties.

For families weighing this investment, the premium price makes sense only if location or specific training advantages matter significantly. Otherwise, Capitol Beauty School delivers stronger earnings outcomes at comparable cost, making it a more straightforward value proposition for Nebraska students entering the cosmetology field.