Cosmetology at Premier Barber Institute

Premier Barber Institute graduates earn slightly more than the typical cosmetology graduate in both Pennsylvania and nationwide, while keeping debt well below state and national averages. At $18,424 first-year earnings versus Pennsylvania's median of $16,236, these graduates are outperforming 60% of similar programs statewide. More importantly, their median debt of $13,583 is lower than the state median and sits in the 16th percentile nationally—meaning only 16% of cosmetology programs nationwide saddle students with less debt.

The 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about nine months of their first-year income, which is manageable for cosmetology where building a client base takes time. This is a field where earnings grow as practitioners develop their skills and reputation, so that initial $18,424 figure represents the starting point, not the ceiling. With 68% of students receiving Pell grants, the institute clearly serves working-class students who need affordable training.

You won't find Premier Barber Institute among Pennsylvania's top-earning cosmetology programs—those place graduates earning $20,000-$21,000—but the combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt creates a financially sensible entry point into the beauty industry. For families seeking cosmetology training, this represents a lower-risk path than most alternatives.