Cosmetology at Modern Hairstyling Institute-Carolina

The numbers here tell two very different stories depending on your timeline. While first-year earnings of $6,454 rank near the bottom both nationally (5th percentile) and within Puerto Rico (25th percentile, well below the state median of $8,804), graduates nearly double their income by year four. That 83% earnings growth is notable—but even at $11,814 four years out, this still trails the top-performing PR cosmetology programs by roughly $1,000 to $4,000 annually.

The relatively low debt load of $3,014 works in this program's favor, coming in below Puerto Rico's median for cosmetology programs. With nearly all students qualifying for Pell grants, the financial risk is manageable if your child can navigate the lean early years. However, the earnings trajectory raises a practical concern: can a recent graduate survive on roughly $540 monthly in that critical first year? That's the period when building a client base matters most, and financial pressure could derail career development before the income growth kicks in.

For families where the student lives at home and has financial support during the apprenticeship phase, this becomes more viable. But compared to programs like Nova College de Puerto Rico or Institucion Chaviano de Mayaguez—where graduates earn $12,000+ even in early years—you're accepting significantly lower immediate returns. If strong family support isn't in place, those higher-earning alternatives deserve serious consideration.