Cosmetology at Remington College-Mobile Campus

Remington College-Mobile's cosmetology program leaves graduates earning $15,381 in their first year—notably below Alabama's median of $16,147 and about $2,000 less than what graduates at top Alabama programs like Lurleen B Wallace Community College make. While earnings do climb to $17,790 by year four, that's still modest income for someone carrying $14,750 in debt. In Alabama's cosmetology landscape, this program ranks around the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten comparable programs produce better outcomes.

The debt load is the real concern here. At nearly $15,000, it's substantially higher than Alabama's typical $12,391 for cosmetology programs and well above the national median of $9,862. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.96, graduates are essentially carrying a year's salary in loans—a heavy burden when trying to establish a career where tips and commission significantly supplement base pay. The 93% Pell Grant rate suggests this program primarily serves students with limited financial resources, making every dollar of debt matter more.

Your child could likely find better value elsewhere in Alabama. Several community colleges produce cosmetology graduates earning $3,000-5,000 more annually while typically charging less. Given the modest income ceiling in this field, starting with less debt makes a meaningful difference in those crucial early career years when building a clientele.