Cosmetology at P B Cosmetology Education Center

P B Cosmetology Education Center charges significantly less than most New Jersey cosmetology programs—about $7,700 in debt versus the state median of $8,400—but graduates earn somewhat below state averages in their first year out. At $16,387 initially, earnings sit in the 40th percentile among New Jersey programs, trailing the state median by about $300. However, this is a field where everyone starts low, and P B graduates show decent earnings growth to over $20,000 by year four, a 23% increase that outpaces many competing schools.

The core question here is whether the modest debt load compensates for the below-average starting earnings. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, graduates owe less than half their first-year income, which is manageable even at cosmetology wage levels. The school serves a largely working-class population (half receive Pell grants), and keeping debt low matters more for these students than squeezing out an extra few thousand in starting salary. Still, top New Jersey programs like Robert Fiance place graduates earning $22,000-plus right away—nearly 40% more than P B graduates.

For families prioritizing affordability and willing to accept middle-of-the-pack earnings, P B delivers a low-risk entry into cosmetology. But if your child is aiming to maximize earning potential in this field, the data suggests other New Jersey schools produce notably better outcomes despite slightly higher costs.