Cosmetology at Somerset Community College

Somerset Community College's cosmetology program starts students at just $11,565 in first-year earnings—among the bottom 5% nationally and well below Kentucky's median of $15,322. While the program shows 54% earnings growth to year four, reaching $17,809, graduates from nearby schools like PJ's College in Bowling Green ($21,439) or Paul Mitchell Louisville ($20,033) are earning substantially more right out of the gate. The $11,832 in debt nearly equals first-year earnings, creating a challenging initial period when graduates can least afford it.

The state comparison is telling: even among Kentucky's 27 cosmetology programs, this one ranks in just the 25th percentile. That means three-quarters of in-state alternatives deliver better early outcomes. For a field where income depends on building a client base quickly, starting thousands behind peers matters—those first years determine whether a stylist can stay in the profession or must find supplemental work.

The math here is straightforward: if affordability and early earning power matter for your family, this program underperforms readily available Kentucky alternatives. Community college often means lower cost, but at $11,832, Somerset's debt load sits close to the state median while outcomes lag significantly. Before committing, compare what graduates from the top five Kentucky programs are earning—the difference could cover the slightly higher tuition and then some.