Cosmetology at Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty

Hair Academy graduates earn $25,168 their first year—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally among cosmetology programs and well above Delaware's state median of $19,099. That's roughly $6,000 more annually than typical cosmetology graduates in Delaware earn, a meaningful difference when you're building a client base in this trade. The debt load of $9,666 is essentially average for the field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 that suggests manageable repayment.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with more data. That said, the earnings advantage over both state and national benchmarks is substantial enough to be noteworthy, even with a small sample. Half the students here receive Pell grants, indicating the school serves working-class families who need career credentials that translate quickly to income.

For parents whose child is committed to cosmetology, this program shows promise—graduates appear to out-earn peers at other Delaware schools by a considerable margin. Just recognize you're looking at preliminary data rather than a long track record. The fundamentals look sound: reasonable debt for a credential that gets students earning above-average wages in their field, particularly for a career where income typically grows as you build clientele.