Cosmetology at Old Town Barber College

Old Town Barber College graduates earn roughly half what other Kansas cosmetology students make—$12,066 four years out versus a state median of $20,465. This program ranks in just the 10th percentile statewide, meaning nine out of ten Kansas cosmetology programs produce better earnings. The gap is stark: comparable students at Washburn Institute or Paul Mitchell earn nearly double at similar career stages.

The debt situation compounds the problem. While $14,125 isn't excessive in absolute terms, it's higher than both the state and national median for cosmetology programs, and it takes more than a full year's earnings to repay. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, this cohort likely has limited financial cushion to service debt while building a client base. The modest 13% earnings growth suggests graduates struggle to gain traction even after four years in the field.

Kansas offers 23 cosmetology programs, and most significantly outperform this one. Parents whose children are committed to cosmetology training should explore alternatives within the state—Johnson County Community College, for instance, produces graduates earning $21,250 with likely lower debt. This program's combination of bottom-decile earnings and above-average debt makes it a poor value compared to readily available alternatives.