Cosmetology at Hinton Barber and Beauty College

Hinton Barber and Beauty College produces earnings that fall below both national and state medians for cosmetology programs, but it's the debt load that creates the real problem. At $16,250, graduates carry nearly twice the debt of typical California cosmetology students ($8,802) and 65% more than the national median. With first-year earnings of just $13,620, that 1.19 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face nearly 14 months of their entire salary going toward loan repayment—a heavy burden for an entry-level beauty industry position.

The program does show modest earnings growth to $14,982 by year four, and it sits at the 40th percentile among California cosmetology programs—meaning it's actually middle-of-the-pack within the state despite the low absolute numbers. However, compare this to top-performing California schools like San Jose City College ($23,253) or The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose ($24,660), and the gap becomes stark. These aren't just slightly better options; they're producing outcomes 50-70% higher.

For families considering this investment, the math is challenging: your child would graduate with above-average debt to enter a field where they'll earn below-average wages. The 82% Pell Grant rate suggests the school serves students with limited financial resources, making that debt burden particularly concerning. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling reasons to choose Hinton specifically, exploring California programs with lower debt loads or stronger earning outcomes would be prudent.