Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke

Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke charges more than most cosmetology programs—with debt 40% above the national median and 30% higher than typical Virginia schools—while delivering middle-of-the-pack results for the state. Your child would earn around $20,761 in their first year, which beats 82% of cosmetology programs nationally but lands in just the 60th percentile among Virginia's 27 cosmetology schools. That gap matters: Virginia's top programs produce graduates earning $27,000-$29,000 within a year, nearly 50% more than what Paul Mitchell grads typically make.

The bigger concern is the earnings trajectory. Most graduates actually see their income decline slightly over four years rather than grow, suggesting limited advancement within the cosmetology field after graduation. Combined with the $13,833 debt load—which represents about eight months of that first year's earnings—this creates a longer payoff period than you'd find at comparable Virginia programs offering similar debt but better outcomes.

For a family considering cosmetology training in Virginia, this represents a premium price for average results. The program serves a large Pell-eligible population and delivers solid national performance, but within your state, you'd likely find better value elsewhere. Unless there are specific Paul Mitchell curriculum advantages that matter to your child's career goals, explore Virginia programs with stronger earnings outcomes at similar or lower cost.