Cosmetology at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

Southern Careers Institute's cosmetology program leaves graduates earning less than they started—$15,634 one year out drops to $13,351 by year four. That 15% decline is the opposite of what families hope for from career training. Even at the one-year mark, earnings fall $800 below the Texas median and nearly $1,500 below the national average for cosmetology programs. The $8,394 in debt isn't crushing on its own, but when earnings barely clear $13,000 long-term, that debt represents nearly eight months of gross income.

The comparison to top Texas programs is stark. Schools like Paul Mitchell-Austin and Champion Beauty College place graduates at twice the earnings level, suggesting the problem isn't the Texas cosmetology market—it's program-specific outcomes. With 72% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here have limited financial cushion to absorb weak returns. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates confirms this pattern isn't a statistical fluke.

For parents considering this program: your child would likely earn similar amounts working retail or food service, but without the debt. The declining earnings trajectory and below-median performance against 150 other Texas cosmetology programs point toward looking elsewhere. Several schools in Texas are producing graduates who earn double what this program delivers.