Cosmetology at Houston Training School-Main Campus

The earnings here fall short of what most Texas cosmetology programs deliver. At $13,813 in the first year, graduates earn about $2,600 less than the typical Texas cosmetology graduate and nearly $3,300 below the national benchmark. More concerning, they rank in just the 25th percentile statewide—meaning three-quarters of Texas cosmetology programs produce better initial outcomes. The top programs in the state, like Paul Mitchell-Austin, nearly double these first-year earnings.

The $7,500 debt load sits below both state and national averages, which helps offset the earnings gap somewhat. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means graduates owe about half their first-year income—manageable but not impressive given how modest that income is. The 18% earnings growth to $16,320 by year four helps but doesn't close the gap with stronger programs. With 95% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are making this investment with limited financial cushion.

For this price point, you're getting below-average outcomes in a crowded Texas market with 151 competing programs. The math works better at schools delivering $23,000-$26,000 in first-year earnings, especially since many charge similar tuition. Unless location constraints make this the only viable option, exploring higher-performing Houston-area alternatives would likely pay off within the first year of work.