Cosmetology at Pat Goins Beauty Schools formerly Paul Mitchell the School-Shreveport

Pat Goins Beauty Schools lands squarely in the middle of Louisiana's competitive cosmetology landscape, outperforming 60% of similar programs statewide despite first-year earnings of just under $17,000. That $16,988 starting salary actually beats the state median by nearly $1,400—a meaningful advantage when many Louisiana cosmetology grads earn considerably less. The debt picture looks particularly favorable: at $12,226, graduates borrow less than the state average and substantially less than the national median, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.72.

The reality check here is that cosmetology anywhere requires patience. Even Louisiana's top earners in this field start around $19,500, so the income ceiling is modest regardless of where you train. What matters is minimizing debt while learning the fundamentals, and Pat Goins achieves that better than most in-state options. With over half of students qualifying for Pell grants, the school clearly serves working-class families who can't afford to make mistakes with education debt.

For a Louisiana family considering cosmetology training, this program delivers middle-of-the-pack earnings with better-than-average debt management. Your child won't get rich quickly, but they also won't spend years digging out from under beauty school loans while building their clientele.