Cosmetology at Mid-State Technical College

Mid-State Technical College's cosmetology program charges significantly less than most competitors—just $6,081 in typical debt versus a state median of $10,528—but graduates earn roughly $4,300 less than the Wisconsin median of $21,659. That places this program in the bottom quarter among Wisconsin cosmetology schools, with earnings substantially below top performers like Waukesha County Technical College ($27,049) or even the Aveda Institute-Madison ($25,029). While the debt load ranks among the lowest 5% nationally (which sounds good), the earnings shortfall means graduates are leaving considerable income on the table year after year.

The small sample size here warrants caution—with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, one exceptional or struggling cohort could skew these numbers significantly. However, the pattern is hard to ignore: you'd be paying less upfront but potentially sacrificing $20,000+ in cumulative earnings over just five years compared to nearby alternatives. For a field where chair rental fees, product costs, and building a client base require capital, that earning power matters.

If Mid-State is the most convenient option or offers specific training advantages, the low debt burden provides flexibility. But parents should seriously consider whether their student might earn substantially more by attending one of Wisconsin's better-performing programs—the debt difference might pay for itself within the first year of higher earnings.