Cosmetology at Grabber School of Hair Design

Grabber School of Hair Design graduates earn more than 95% of cosmetology programs nationwide, but within Missouri, the picture becomes more complicated. While first-year earnings of $22,626 beat the national median by 32%, they fall short of the state median and trail several competitors, including Summit Salon Academy Kansas City by over $5,000. More concerning, graduates actually see earnings decline slightly over four years rather than grow, suggesting limited advancement opportunities in the field itself rather than any program-specific weakness.

The debt load of $12,465 is manageable relative to earnings—you're looking at roughly six months of income to repay—and sits below the 75th percentile nationally for program costs. For a school serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients (44%), this represents reasonable financial positioning. The real question is whether cosmetology as a career path aligns with your family's expectations, given that even top performers in Missouri plateau around $28,000 annually.

If your child is committed to cosmetology and staying in the St. Louis area, Grabber delivers solid results without excessive debt. But if earnings growth matters, consider whether the roughly $23,000 ceiling across most Missouri programs—with little room for advancement—justifies the investment over other career training options.