Cosmetology at Modern Beauty Academy

Graduates of Modern Beauty Academy's cosmetology program earn around $12,500 in their first year—about $5,000 less than California's median for cosmetology programs and roughly $2,000 below the state's 25th percentile. The comparison to top-performing California programs is even starker: graduates from The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose earn nearly double ($24,660). While the debt load of $9,950 appears manageable in isolation, it represents 79% of first-year earnings, creating immediate financial pressure for recent graduates.

The earnings trajectory adds to the concern. Rather than building a client base and increasing income over time (which you'd expect in cosmetology), graduates here see their earnings decline to $11,699 by year four. This pattern suggests difficulties with client retention, job stability, or business development—skills essential to succeeding in the beauty industry. The 40th percentile ranking within California indicates this program sits below the state's midpoint, though it's worth noting the small sample size means these numbers could shift with more data.

For parents considering this investment, the math is problematic: their child would need nearly nine months of full-time earnings just to cover the debt, while working a job that pays below minimum wage and appears to offer limited growth. With 130 cosmetology programs in California, including several that deliver twice the earning power, this particular certificate doesn't make financial sense unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to choose this specific academy.