Cosmetology at Maryland Beauty Academy of Essex

Maryland Beauty Academy of Essex graduates earn just $13,002 in their first year—below both Maryland's state median ($16,429) and the national median ($17,113) for cosmetology programs. This ranks in the bottom quarter among Maryland's 17 beauty schools. More concerning, it's roughly $7,000 less than what graduates from the state's top programs earn right out of school. For a family with 68% of students receiving Pell grants, this earnings gap represents a significant opportunity cost.

The debt load of $11,500 isn't catastrophic on its own, but paired with such low first-year earnings, it creates real financial strain. That 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe nearly a full year's salary—workable only if earnings climb substantially in years two and three. Many cosmetology careers do build clientele and income over time, but starting this far behind the pack makes that climb steeper.

The bottom line: Your child could attend several other Maryland beauty schools and likely earn 30-50% more in that crucial first year while taking on similar or even less debt. Unless there's a compelling reason to choose this specific program—location, schedule flexibility, specific instructor—the data suggests looking at higher-performing Maryland options first.