Cosmetology at Rivertown School of Beauty Barber Skin Care and Nails

Rivertown's cosmetology program costs more than the typical Georgia program while delivering below-average earnings. At $14,700 in debt versus a state median of $12,831, graduates are borrowing about 15% more than peers at other Georgia schools—yet earning $16,832 at the state median compared to just $15,953 here. Among Georgia's 45 cosmetology programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten programs produce better outcomes.

The gap widens when you look at what's possible in-state. Top Georgia technical colleges like Lanier Tech and South Georgia Tech produce graduates earning $20,000-$23,000 annually—roughly 25-40% more than Rivertown students. While earnings do grow 21% by year four, reaching $19,336, that's still less than what graduates from stronger programs earn right out of school. With nearly all students here receiving Pell grants, that earning differential matters enormously for families with limited resources.

The debt load relative to first-year income (0.92 ratio) isn't catastrophic for a certificate program, but it's harder to justify when other nearby options deliver significantly better returns. If cosmetology is the goal, Georgia has multiple technical colleges that would put your child in a stronger financial position from day one.