Cosmetology at Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School

This Virginia Beach beauty school charges nearly twice the national median debt for cosmetology training, but graduates earn enough to justify that premium—though not quite enough to compete with Virginia's top esthetics-focused programs. First-year earnings of $20,028 place graduates in the 75th percentile nationally and 60th percentile statewide, meaningfully ahead of the typical $17,113 that cosmetology certificate holders earn across the country. The debt load of $16,184 is higher than most beauty schools, yet the 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and graduates see solid 23% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $25,000.

The real question is whether this investment makes sense when several Virginia competitors—particularly esthetics-focused schools—produce substantially higher earners. The top program in the state generates $29,301 in first-year earnings, nearly 50% more than Rudy & Kelly graduates. That said, this school serves a significant number of Pell-eligible students (45%), suggesting it provides access to skills training for lower-income Virginians, and its graduates still out-earn three-quarters of cosmetology certificate holders nationwide.

For families comfortable with $16,000 in debt for beauty training, this delivers above-average results with strong data confidence. If your child is specifically interested in medical esthetics or clinical aesthetics rather than traditional cosmetology, exploring Virginia's specialized esthetics programs could yield better returns on a similar investment.