Cosmetology at Savannah Technical College

Savannah Technical College's cosmetology program graduates start above both state and national averages, but the earnings trajectory tells a troubling story. First-year graduates earn $19,242—solidly in the 60th percentile among Georgia programs—but by year four, earnings drop to just $15,123. That's a 21% decline when graduates should be building clientele and raising prices.

The debt load compounds this problem. At nearly $20,000, graduates owe more than they'll earn in their first year, and twice the national median for cosmetology programs. While this puts the program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt (meaning very few programs carry higher debt loads), it's particularly harsh given the earnings decline. You're looking at debt that takes longer to repay as income shrinks rather than grows.

Among Georgia's 45 cosmetology programs, several alternatives deliver stronger outcomes. Lanier Technical College graduates earn $22,686—18% more than Savannah Tech's first-year figure—while other schools like Wiregrass Georgia Tech match Savannah's earnings with presumably lower debt burdens. For a field where many practitioners eventually work for themselves, starting with $20,000 in debt creates a significant handicap. Unless there are compelling location-specific reasons to attend Savannah Tech, the combination of high debt and declining earnings makes this a risky investment compared to other in-state options.