Cosmetology at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Glasgow

These numbers tell a concerning story about investment versus return. Graduates are earning just $10,936 one year out—less than half Kentucky's state median of $15,322 for cosmetology programs, and well below what graduates earn at other PJ's locations (the Bowling Green campus reports $21,439). Taking on $16,500 in debt to secure barely minimum-wage earnings creates immediate financial strain that won't resolve quickly, even as earnings creep up to $12,711 by year four.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift with more data, but the pattern is troubling enough to warrant serious consideration of alternatives. Within Kentucky alone, at least five cosmetology programs show graduates earning $18,000+ in their first year—nearly double what this Glasgow location reports. The 72% Pell grant rate suggests this program serves students who can least afford a poor return on investment.

For families considering cosmetology training in Kentucky, explore other options first. Even within the same PJ's brand, the Bowling Green location shows dramatically better outcomes. If location constraints make Glasgow the only viable choice, understand that graduates here face an uphill financial battle in their early career years, and factor that reality into any borrowing decisions.