Cosmetology at Gaston College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Distribution
How Gaston College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Gaston College graduates earn $27k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all cosmetology certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (75 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston College | $27,008 | — | — | — |
| Central Carolina Community College | $24,101 | $23,264 | $12,167 | 0.50 |
| Wake Technical Community College | $23,286 | — | $7,693 | 0.33 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | $22,578 | $22,811 | $16,500 | 0.73 |
| Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill | $21,826 | $27,243 | $11,583 | 0.53 |
| Mitchells Academy | $21,495 | $22,001 | $6,397 | 0.30 |
| National Median | $17,113 | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Other Cosmetology Programs in North Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Carolina Community College Sanford | $2,554 | $24,101 | $12,167 |
| Wake Technical Community College Raleigh | $2,336 | $23,286 | $7,693 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury | $2,064 | $22,578 | $16,500 |
| Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill Chapel Hill | — | $21,826 | $11,583 |
| Mitchells Academy Raleigh | — | $21,495 | $6,397 |
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 Gaston College, approximately 26% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 13 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.