Cosmetology at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (30 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | $21,659* | $22,426 | $8,875* | — |
| Waukesha County Technical College | $27,049* | — | $9,750* | 0.36 |
| The Institute of Beauty and Wellness | $25,029* | $29,220 | $10,555* | 0.42 |
| Aveda Institute-Madison | $25,029* | $29,220 | $10,555* | 0.42 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Onalaska | $25,017* | $25,347 | $12,000* | 0.48 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | $23,405* | $25,795 | $9,395* | 0.40 |
| National Median | $17,113* | — | $9,862* | 0.58 |
Other Cosmetology Programs in Wisconsin
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Wisconsin schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee | $4,720 | $27,049 | $9,750 |
| The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Milwaukee | — | $25,029 | $10,555 |
| Aveda Institute-Madison Madison | — | $25,029 | $10,555 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Onalaska Onalaska | — | $25,017 | $12,000 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire | $4,724 | $23,405 | $9,395 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 23 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.