Cosmetology at Rob Roy Academy-Worcester

Rob Roy Academy's cosmetology certificate costs $9,500 and launches graduates at $17,208, climbing to nearly $22,000 by year four—a 28% increase that outpaces what most beauty programs deliver. The debt load is manageable at just over half your first year's earnings, which means graduates typically aren't drowning in payments while building their client base. However, among Massachusetts cosmetology programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile for earnings, meaning 60% of in-state competitors prepare students for higher-earning careers.

The gap matters when you look at the competition. Top programs like Catherine Hinds Institute start their graduates at $26,000—about $9,000 more annually—though these likely focus on specialized esthetics rather than general cosmetology. Even closer competitors like COLLECTIV Academy and Spa Tech send graduates into the market at $20,000-$21,000, giving them a meaningful head start in an industry where every dollar counts early on.

For families weighing this investment: the debt is reasonable and the earnings trajectory shows real growth, but your child would enter the field earning less than peers at nearby programs. If Rob Roy offers specific advantages like location convenience, schedule flexibility, or stronger salon placement networks, factor those in. Otherwise, the higher-earning Massachusetts programs might justify a harder look before committing.