Cosmetology at Milan Institute-Merced

Milan Institute-Merced's cosmetology program delivers below-average earning potential that should give parents serious pause. With graduates earning just $13,386 in their first year—significantly below both the national median ($17,113) and California median ($14,600)—this program ranks in only the 17th percentile nationally. While it performs closer to the middle of the pack within California (40th percentile), that's largely because California's cosmetology programs generally underperform national standards.

The financial picture becomes more concerning when you consider the debt load. At $7,917, graduates carry less debt than the national average, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means students are borrowing roughly 60% of their first-year income. While earnings do grow 20% by year four to $16,007, that's still well below what graduates can earn at top California programs—some of which report median earnings exceeding $24,000.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers suggest exploring alternatives. California has 130 cosmetology programs, and several significantly outperform Milan Institute-Merced. Given that cosmetology careers depend heavily on skill development and local market conditions, choosing a program with stronger graduate outcomes could mean the difference between financial struggle and stability in your child's early career.