Cosmetology at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York

Robert Fiance's West New York location produces earnings that lag behind both the state median and national average, with first-year graduates earning just $14,650—about $2,000 less than typical New Jersey cosmetology programs. While the $8,428 in debt matches the state median and sits below the national average, that lower borrowing doesn't offset the earning shortfall. At 40th percentile among New Jersey programs, this school underperforms compared to other in-state options like its sister campus in North Plainfield, where graduates earn $22,676.

The 27% earnings growth over four years is encouraging, bringing graduates to $18,638 by year four, but they're still starting from a significantly lower base. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 means graduates owe more than half their first year's income, which can strain budgets even with manageable absolute debt levels. For context, the stronger NJ programs offer similar training at comparable prices while delivering substantially higher starting earnings.

If your child is committed to cosmetology in New Jersey, other programs offer better returns on the same investment. The tuition costs appear similar across schools, so choosing a program where graduates consistently earn $18,000-$22,000 from day one makes more financial sense than accepting four years of catch-up growth.