Cosmetology at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology

Oliver Finley Academy graduates earn above both national and state medians for cosmetology programs, landing in the 77th percentile nationally. With first-year earnings of $20,258 against $9,166 in debt, graduates face manageable payments—about half a year's income. However, this program ranks in the middle of Idaho's cosmetology schools, with two Paul Mitchell locations and Boise Barber College showing stronger graduate outcomes.

The concerning pattern here is that earnings actually decline slightly by year four, dropping to $19,520. This differs from most career paths where experience builds value. In cosmetology, success often depends more on building a client base and booth rental arrangements than time in the field alone. The debt load is reasonable enough that this decline doesn't create a crisis, but it does mean graduates shouldn't expect automatic salary growth.

For parents of students committed to cosmetology, this program offers decent preparation at a fair price—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 is manageable. But if location flexibility exists, the Paul Mitchell schools in Boise or Nampa show better graduate earnings (about $1,400 more annually) at similar or lower debt levels. The key question is whether your child has the entrepreneurial drive to build a client base, since that matters more than which school they attend.