Cosmetology at Indian River State College

Indian River State College's cosmetology program shows earnings that climb steadily rather than plateau—graduates earn $18,411 in their first year but see that grow 31% to $24,099 by year four. This upward trajectory matters in cosmetology, where building a client base takes time. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida's 127 cosmetology programs, landing in the middle of the pack but well above Florida's state median of $16,718. That said, top performers like Florida State College at Jacksonville nearly double these four-year earnings, suggesting there's significant variation in how well different programs prepare students for market success.

The debt picture is manageable at $9,540—roughly six months of first-year income and slightly below both state and national averages. For a field with relatively modest earning potential, keeping debt under $10,000 is important. One-third of students here receive Pell grants, indicating this serves as an accessible entry point into the beauty industry for many working-class students.

The bottom line: This program won't put your child in crushing debt, and the earnings growth pattern suggests graduates learn to build income over time. However, if staying in Florida, investigate why some state programs produce graduates earning 40-50% more by year four—that gap likely reflects either stronger training or better employment networks worth considering.