Cosmetology at Miller-Motte College-Raleigh

Miller-Motte College-Raleigh's cosmetology program produces graduates earning significantly less than what you'd expect from other options in North Carolina. While first-year earnings of $15,003 rank in the 40th percentile statewide, this still falls $2,200 below the state median and nearly $12,000 behind top programs like Gaston College and Central Carolina Community College.

The debt picture offers some relief—at $12,831, it's actually slightly below the North Carolina average and ranks in the 23rd percentile nationally, meaning most programs saddle students with more debt. The manageable debt load keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.86, which isn't crushing for a field where many graduates work part-time initially. Earnings do grow 23% by year four, reaching $18,514, though this still lags behind stronger state programs.

For a cosmetology program, this represents a below-average outcome in a state with many stronger alternatives. The community college options like Wake Tech and Rowan-Cabarrus deliver substantially higher earnings with similar or lower debt loads. Unless location is the primary factor, families should seriously explore these higher-performing in-state programs that could boost your child's earning potential by $5,000-12,000 annually while keeping costs reasonable.