Cosmetology at Lil Lou's Beauty and Barber College

The numbers here reveal a program struggling at nearly every level: Lil Lou's graduates earn $11,397 in their first year—barely half of what typical Indiana cosmetology graduates make ($18,592). This ranks in just the 10th percentile statewide, meaning 90% of Indiana cosmetology programs deliver better results. The gap isn't subtle: Paul Mitchell the School in nearby Merrillville helps graduates earn $19,685, while top Indianapolis programs push past $24,000. That's double what Lil Lou's grads are making, yet the debt burden here ($16,500) is 40% higher than the state median. Four years out, earnings barely budge—growing only 3% to $11,771.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.45 means graduates owe more than they earn in their entire first year, a concerning starting point for careers in the trades where income should quickly outpace educational investment. With 78% of students receiving Pell grants, many here can least afford to take on debt that exceeds their annual income. While cosmetology can offer solid middle-class earnings in Indiana—the state median of $18,592 represents viable economic independence—this program isn't delivering those outcomes.

For parents considering this investment, the question isn't whether cosmetology is worthwhile—it clearly can be. The question is whether paying $16,500 for outcomes in the bottom 10% statewide makes sense when stronger alternatives exist throughout Indiana, often at lower cost.