Cosmetology at Fortis College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (30 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis College | $16,147* | $21,848 | $10,819 | — |
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | $20,912* | — | — | — |
| Blue Cliff Career College | $20,014* | $24,667 | $9,833 | 0.49 |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | $19,828* | — | — | — |
| Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology | $16,328* | — | $16,500 | 1.01 |
| Brown Beauty Barber School | $16,147* | — | $16,500 | 1.02 |
| National Median | $17,113* | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Other Cosmetology Programs in Alabama
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Alabama schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia | $4,980 | $20,912 | — |
| Blue Cliff Career College Mobile | — | $20,014 | $9,833 |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan | $4,920 | $19,828 | — |
| Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology Jackson | — | $16,328 | $16,500 |
| Brown Beauty Barber School Bessemer | — | $16,147 | $16,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fortis College, approximately 79% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in AL. Actual outcomes may vary.