Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-NYC

The dramatic earnings growth here—from under $10,000 to nearly $23,000 over four years—tells a story of graduates struggling to gain traction in New York's competitive beauty market. While that 139% increase sounds impressive, it's actually starting from an alarmingly low baseline. In the first year, graduates earn barely half the state median for cosmetology programs, ranking in just the 10th percentile among New York schools. By year four, they're catching up but still lag behind programs like Aesthetic Science Institute and Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES, where graduates start stronger.

The $5,500 debt load is relatively manageable—about half the state median—which provides some cushion during those lean early years. But that first-year income of $9,493 is problematic regardless of debt levels. It suggests graduates are either working part-time, facing underemployment, or accepting positions that don't utilize their training. For a family investing in this program, the question becomes whether your child can weather three to four years of barely-livable wages while building a clientele.

If your child is considering Paul Mitchell-NYC, understand they'll likely need financial support beyond graduation. The economics only start working by year four, and even then, earnings remain below top programs in the state. For students who can live at home or have family backing during the building phase, the lower debt makes this viable. Otherwise, stronger-performing New York cosmetology programs offer better starting positions.