Cosmetology at Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness

Rizzieri Aveda keeps debt manageable at $6,333—roughly $2,000 below New Jersey's median for cosmetology programs and nearly $3,500 less than the national average. That's meaningful for a field where many graduates earn under $20,000 annually, and it results in a debt-to-earnings ratio that's actually healthier than most beauty schools despite the modest starting salary of $16,954.

What's notable here is the earnings trajectory. While first-year earnings sit just below the state median, they climb 25% by year four to reach $21,201. Among New Jersey cosmetology programs, this school ranks in the 60th percentile, which means graduates typically outperform about half their in-state peers. Still, the reality check: even at year four, you're earning less than Robert Fiance graduates make in their first year ($22,676). That gap matters if your child is weighing similarly priced programs in the area.

The value proposition hinges on keeping costs low while building a client base. With 37% of students receiving Pell grants, Rizzieri serves many families who can't afford to gamble on expensive beauty school debt. The relatively light debt load means your child can actually keep more of what they earn while establishing themselves—critical in a field where income growth depends on building loyal clientele rather than climbing a corporate ladder.