Cosmetology at Rogers Academy of Hair Design

Rogers Academy graduates start around $16,000 annually, which falls below both Indiana's median for cosmetology programs ($18,592) and the national average ($17,113). At the 40th percentile statewide, this program lags behind roughly half of Indiana's 28 cosmetology schools—including several Indianapolis-area competitors where graduates earn $20,000-24,000. The 18% earnings growth to year four is positive, but even after four years, graduates earn less than first-year graduates from the state's top programs.

The financial picture offers one significant advantage: debt levels rank in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of cosmetology programs nationwide carry more debt. At $16,161, it's still higher than Indiana's median of $11,750, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.01 means graduates owe roughly what they'll earn in their first year—manageable in an industry where many pay off loans quickly through tips and cash income not captured in these figures.

For families evaluating this program, the question centers on geography and career goals. If your child plans to work in the Evansville area and values staying local, this could work, particularly given the relatively modest debt. But if maximizing early earnings matters—or if relocating to Indianapolis is feasible—the data suggests looking at higher-performing programs where graduates earn $3,000-8,000 more annually from day one. That income difference compounds significantly over a career.