Cosmetology at Manuel and Theresa's School of Hair Design-Victoria

Manuel and Theresa's School delivers something rare in cosmetology education: strong first-year earnings at remarkably low debt. With just $6,993 in typical student loans—significantly below both the Texas median ($8,467) and national average ($9,862)—graduates start their careers earning $20,768, placing this program in the 80th percentile among Texas cosmetology schools. That's a debt load most graduates can realistically handle even on entry-level salon wages.

The concerning part is what happens next. By year four, median earnings drop to $13,566—a 35% decline that could reflect the volatility of commission-based salon work, graduates leaving the industry, or movement into lower-paying positions. This pattern appears across cosmetology programs but doesn't diminish the value of the low-debt starting point.

For families in the Victoria area, particularly those qualifying for financial aid (63% of students receive Pell grants here), this represents a low-risk entry into the beauty industry. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 means graduates owe roughly four months of their first-year salary—manageable even if long-term earnings prove inconsistent. Just understand that cosmetology careers often involve building a client base over time, and reported earnings may not capture the full financial picture of self-employed stylists.