Cosmetology at Montana Academy of Salons

Montana Academy of Salons graduates earn notably more than most cosmetology certificate programs nationwide, landing in the 77th percentile at $20,211 in their first year. That's $3,000 above the national median and competitive within Montana's limited market, though it trails the state's top program (Academy of Cosmetology Inc) by about $1,600. More importantly, earnings show solid upward momentum—growing 15% to reach $23,218 by year four, which is unusual in cosmetology where income often plateaus quickly.

The tradeoff is higher debt: $12,752 versus Montana's typical $8,774 for cosmetology programs. However, this still translates to a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio, and graduates carry less debt than 76% of cosmetology programs nationwide. For context, the bottom performer in Montana leaves graduates earning just $9,586—half what this program delivers—making the price premium here look reasonable by comparison.

For a parent weighing this investment, the math works. Your child will likely owe about $4,000 more than they would at other Montana schools, but they'll earn enough in year one to justify it, and their income should grow rather than stagnate. In a field where earnings often stay flat and many programs charge high tuition for poor outcomes, this represents a relatively sound vocational investment—particularly if staying in Montana where the job market appears stable.