Cosmetology at Lincoln Technical Institute-Iselin

Lincoln Technical Institute's cosmetology program delivers earnings that outpace both New Jersey and national averages, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 24 cosmetology schools. With first-year earnings of $17,643 and steady growth to $19,795 by year four, graduates earn about $1,000 more annually than the typical New Jersey cosmetology graduate and $500 more than the national average.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $9,499—actually lower than the national median and competitive within New Jersey's landscape. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning graduates typically owe about half their first-year salary. While this program doesn't reach the earnings levels of top New Jersey schools like Robert Fiance ($22,676), it provides solid middle-tier performance without excessive debt burden.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers suggest a practical path into cosmetology with earnings that grow modestly over time and debt that won't overwhelm new graduates. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence in these figures, and the program serves a predominantly Pell grant population (62%) successfully. This represents a straightforward trade school investment that delivers on its core promise of job-ready skills at a reasonable cost.