Median Earnings (1yr)
$25,502
95th percentile (80th in NV)
Median Debt
$12,394
26% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.49
Manageable
Sample Size
199
Adequate data

Analysis

Medspa Academies graduates earn $27,712 four years out—about 57% more than the typical Nevada cosmetology graduate and nearly double the national median. That's a significant premium, particularly when you consider the program costs less than $3,000 more than the state average in debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates can realistically manage their loans, even with first-year earnings around $25,500.

The earnings gap between this program and competitors is striking. Only International Academy of Style produces comparable outcomes in Nevada, while most other programs leave graduates earning $17,000-$19,000 annually. The 9% earnings growth from year one to year four is modest but steady, suggesting graduates build sustainable careers rather than experiencing the income volatility common in cosmetology. The school serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (43%), indicating it's not just selecting wealthy students already positioned for success.

For parents concerned about beauty industry credentials, this program demonstrates that specialized training in medical aesthetics commands meaningfully higher pay than traditional cosmetology. The investment—roughly half a year's salary in debt—should be manageable for graduates who maintain employment in the field. This represents one of the clearer success stories in Nevada cosmetology education.

Where Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all cosmetology certificate's programs nationally

Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern AestheticsOther cosmetology programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics graduates compare to all programs nationally

Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics graduates earn $26k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all cosmetology certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Nevada

Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Nevada (12 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics$25,502$27,712$12,3940.49
International Academy of Style$26,349$25,422$9,3910.36
Avalon Institute-Las Vegas$21,496$24,140$8,0810.38
Paul Mitchell the School-Reno$19,523$22,945$10,5560.54
Casal Institute of Nevada$19,225$23,690$9,5000.49
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin$17,643$19,795$9,4990.54
National Median$17,113—$9,8620.58

Other Cosmetology Programs in Nevada

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Nevada schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
International Academy of Style
Reno
—$26,349$9,391
Avalon Institute-Las Vegas
Las Vegas
—$21,496$8,081
Paul Mitchell the School-Reno
Reno
—$19,523$10,556
Casal Institute of Nevada
Las Vegas
—$19,225$9,500
Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin
Las Vegas
—$17,643$9,499

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern Aesthetics, approximately 43% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 199 graduates with reported earnings and 217 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.