Cosmetology at Model College of Hair Design

Model College of Hair Design's cosmetology program sits in an interesting position: it dramatically outperforms national standards while landing in the middle of Minnesota's competitive cosmetology scene. Graduates earn $25,814 in their first year—over $8,700 more than the national median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. However, within Minnesota's 17 cosmetology programs, this places at the 60th percentile, with several state programs producing notably higher earnings. The $8,778 debt load is actually lower than both state and national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34.

The challenging aspect here is the earnings trajectory: income drops 13% by year four to $22,569. This pattern isn't unique to Model College—it's common across cosmetology—but it does mean your child's best earning years may come early in their career. For context, Saint Paul College's program produces first-year earnings of nearly $33,000, showing the range of outcomes possible within Minnesota.

For a Minnesota family, this program delivers solid value compared to national alternatives but represents a middle-tier option within the state. The low debt keeps financial risk contained, and nearly half of students qualify for Pell grants, suggesting the school serves working-class students successfully. If location in Saint Cloud matters or if your child has connected with this particular school, the numbers support enrollment—just know that Minnesota offers several higher-earning alternatives worth exploring first.