Cosmetology at Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College's cosmetology program stands out for its earnings trajectory: graduates start at $18,291 but see incomes jump 54% to $28,112 within four years. That growth rate matters because many cosmetology programs plateau quickly as stylists build their clientele. Among Georgia's 45 cosmetology programs, this one ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—solidly middle-of-the-pack, though several state technical colleges like Lanier and South Georgia post notably higher first-year numbers.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable. At $16,349, borrowers graduate owing less than their first-year earnings, and this debt level ranks in the bottom 5% nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt. Given that the typical cosmetology program nationally carries $9,862 in debt, Gwinnett's slightly higher figure is offset by better-than-average earnings. The year-four income of $28,112 makes the debt quite manageable, especially as many graduates will continue building their business beyond that point.

For families considering cosmetology training in Georgia, this program offers a reliable middle path: not the highest immediate earnings in the state, but reasonable debt and strong income growth that suggests graduates are successfully establishing themselves in the field.