Cosmetology at Florida Career College-West Palm Beach

Florida Career College-West Palm Beach graduates start at just $13,395—well below both the Florida median of $16,718 and national average, placing in the bottom quarter among Florida cosmetology programs. While the relatively modest debt load of $11,718 might seem manageable, it still represents nearly a full year's initial earnings. Compare this to public alternatives like Palm Beach State College, where graduates earn $24,361, or Florida State College at Jacksonville at nearly $30,000—both offering substantially better outcomes in the same field.

The 32% earnings growth to $17,641 by year four does show improvement, but that still barely catches up to where graduates of better programs start. With 68% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this program to provide upward mobility, yet the outcomes suggest it's not delivering competitive value. The debt burden, while not catastrophic, takes on a different meaning when you're earning $13,000 and trying to build a career.

For families considering cosmetology training in Florida, the public college options offer dramatically better returns without necessarily higher costs. This program's graduates earn roughly half what peers at top Florida programs make, which compounds over a career. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling constraints, this investment is difficult to justify when stronger alternatives exist nearby.