Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Overland Park

Paul Mitchell-Overland Park graduates earn substantially more than the typical cosmetology program nationally—$22,440 in the first year versus a national median of $17,113. That 31% premium lands them in the 95th percentile nationwide. However, within Kansas, the picture is more nuanced. While these graduates outperform the state median of $20,465, they're only in the 60th percentile among Kansas cosmetology programs, with several schools like Washburn Institute producing comparable or slightly better outcomes. The program costs $13,341 in debt versus a state median of $9,666, meaning students are paying about $3,700 more for what amounts to a modest earnings advantage in-state.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 is manageable—graduates should be able to handle repayment on typical cosmetology wages—and the 24% earnings growth to $27,891 by year four shows solid income progression. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, this school serves a population where every dollar of debt matters. The question for Kansas families is whether the Paul Mitchell brand recognition justifies the premium when public options like Johnson County Community College produce strong graduates at likely lower cost. If your child values the national reputation and specific training style, the outcomes support that choice. But if staying debt-light is the priority, comparable Kansas programs deliver similar earnings without the extra borrowing.