Cosmetology at Lone Star College System

Lone Star College System delivers something rare in cosmetology education: above-average earnings with minimal debt burden. At $18,887 in the first year, graduates earn more than 65% of cosmetology programs nationally and outperform the Texas state median by $2,500. The $5,500 in typical debt is less than half the national average, creating a remarkably clean debt-to-earnings picture.

The tradeoff here is realistic rather than discouraging. While earnings grow modestly to $20,356 by year four, graduates aren't approaching the $26,000+ that top Texas programs produce. However, those programs often carry significantly higher debt loads, and Lone Star's combination of community college pricing with solid placement makes it competitive for students who plan to build their client base gradually. A 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage payments while establishing themselves—a meaningful advantage in an industry where many spend their first years as booth renters or commission stylists.

For families prioritizing financial safety while their student pursues cosmetology, this program works. The low debt removes a major barrier to taking career risks or moving into specialized services where the real money lies. You're not getting top-tier immediate earnings, but you're also not saddling your child with $10,000+ in debt for a $17,000 entry salary, which is the national norm.