Cosmetology at Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-Casselberry

This cosmetology program delivers below-average earnings with typical debt levels, making it a financially challenging investment. Graduates earn $15,540 in their first year—about $1,600 less than the national median and $1,200 below Florida's state median for cosmetology programs. Among Florida's 127 cosmetology schools, this program ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of comparable programs in the state produce better-earning graduates.

The debt picture is more reasonable at $9,500, which matches Florida's median and sits near the national average. However, when graduates are earning only $15,540, that debt represents 61% of their first-year income—a concerning ratio that suggests financial strain in the early career years. The minimal earnings growth (just 7% over four years to $16,655) offers little hope for quickly improving this debt burden.

What's particularly troubling is how this program compares to top performers in Florida. Schools like Florida State College at Jacksonville ($29,668) and Palm Beach State College ($24,361) produce graduates earning nearly double what this program delivers. For a career field where earnings are generally modest, choosing a below-average program significantly limits your child's financial prospects. Unless there are compelling location or scheduling factors, this program's weak earnings performance makes it difficult to recommend over stronger alternatives within Florida.