Cosmetology at Hollywood Institute

Hollywood Institute's cosmetology program demonstrates modest but real financial progress in Florida's crowded beauty training market. While first-year earnings of $17,033 won't sound impressive, this ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida's 127 cosmetology programs—meaning graduates here earn more than roughly six in ten of their state-level competitors. The $7,937 in debt is manageable at less than half of first-year earnings, though it's worth noting this falls below the state median for these programs.

The real question is whether these outcomes justify the cost when public alternatives exist. Florida State College at Jacksonville and several other state institutions produce graduates earning $23,000-$30,000, nearly double what Hollywood Institute achieves. That gap matters tremendously when you're starting at $17,000 annually. The 8% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests very limited career advancement potential—your child will likely still be earning under $20,000 four years out.

For a family considering this program: The relatively low debt minimizes financial disaster risk, and the school serves a heavily Pell-eligible population (72%) that may have limited options. But if your child can access one of Florida's public technical colleges offering cosmetology, those programs deliver substantially better financial outcomes without the private institution premium. The numbers here aren't catastrophic, but they're pedestrian when better alternatives exist in-state.