Cosmetology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc

Among California's 130 cosmetology programs, this San Francisco school stands out—ranking in the 80th percentile statewide for graduate earnings. While first-year earnings of $19,002 are modest, they're 30% higher than the typical California cosmetology graduate makes and beat the national median by about $2,000. The $10,556 in debt is manageable, requiring roughly six months of earnings to repay, and the debt burden here is actually lighter relative to income than most cosmetology programs nationally.

What's particularly encouraging is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income jump 26% by year four, reaching nearly $24,000. That's meaningful growth in a field where many programs show flat or declining wages. You're not looking at top-tier results—programs like The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose produce graduates earning over $24,000 from day one—but this school delivers solid mid-pack performance in an expensive city where building a clientele takes time.

For a student committed to cosmetology in the Bay Area, this represents a reasonable pathway. The combination of below-average debt, above-average starting earnings for California, and positive income growth suggests graduates are finding their footing in San Francisco's beauty industry. Just understand that even with this growth, year-four earnings around $24,000 mean your child will need to supplement income or live very modestly in one of America's most expensive metros.