Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs

Paul Mitchell Colorado Springs charges more than most cosmetology programs but doesn't deliver top-tier results. At $12,822 in debt, graduates pay about 30% more than the state median, yet their $20,417 first-year earnings barely edge above Colorado's $20,014 median—landing at the 60th percentile statewide. Compare this to the program's Denver location, where graduates earn $24,952, or Elevate Salon Institute in Westminster at $27,005. You're essentially paying premium school prices for middle-of-the-pack outcomes.

The national perspective looks better—this program ranks in the 79th percentile nationwide and beats the national median by nearly $3,300. But that comparison matters less when your child will likely work in Colorado, where competition among cosmetology schools is fierce and several programs deliver stronger results at lower cost. The 9% earnings growth to $22,314 by year four is modest but typical for the field, where income depends heavily on building a client base and potentially booth-renting rather than credential prestige.

With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, this school serves many families stretching financially to make this work. The debt load is manageable at 63% of first-year earnings, but given Colorado's strong cosmetology program options, you should expect better outcomes at this price point or similar outcomes at lower cost. Look closely at schools like Pickens Technical College or IBMC, which offer competitive earnings with potentially lower tuition.