Cosmetology at Natural Images Beauty College

Natural Images Beauty College graduates earn just $14,003 in their first year—about $2,400 below the Texas median for cosmetology programs and $3,100 below the national average. While this lands at the 40th percentile statewide (meaning it's roughly middle-of-the-pack for Texas), the top-performing cosmetology programs in the state report earnings nearly double this amount. That gap matters when you're trying to pay rent and build a career in a field where skill and salon placement make an enormous difference.

The $16,466 in debt is actually quite high relative to these earnings—it exceeds first-year income, which is unusual for cosmetology programs. Most schools in this field carry median debt around $9,000-$10,000 nationally, making this program's debt load about 67% higher than typical. For context, graduates here owe nearly as much as they'll earn in their entire first year, which creates real financial pressure when you're starting out on commission-based or hourly wages.

For parents considering this investment, understand that better options exist within Texas. If your child is committed to cosmetology, programs like Paul Mitchell-Austin or Champion Beauty College show it's possible to launch with nearly $27,000 in earning potential. At those income levels, even typical debt becomes manageable quickly. Here, the combination of below-average earnings and above-average debt creates unnecessary financial strain in an already challenging first year.