Cosmetology at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

At just over $15,000 in first-year earnings that drops to $13,351 by year four, Southern Careers Institute-Austin's cosmetology program underperforms most Texas alternatives while carrying significant debt. With 151 cosmetology schools in Texas, graduates here earn about $3,000 less annually than the state median. The top Austin-area programs—like Paul Mitchell the School-Austin—produce graduates earning double what SCI-Austin grads make, a gap that persists even accounting for different clienteles and work settings.

The $8,394 debt load sits at the 75th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of cosmetology programs nationwide saddle students with less debt. That figure might seem manageable in isolation, but paired with earnings barely above minimum wage, it creates real financial strain. The declining earnings trajectory is particularly troubling in a field where building a client base should theoretically increase income over time.

For parents considering this program, the math is stark: their child would likely earn less than $14,000 annually four years into their career while repaying loans. Given that 65% of students here receive Pell grants, many families are already operating with limited financial cushion. Austin has multiple cosmetology programs with proven track records of graduates earning $23,000-$26,000 within a year of completion—nearly twice this program's outcomes—making those alternatives worth serious consideration first.