Cosmetology at Stylemaster College of Hair Design

Stylemaster graduates earn about $19,000 four years out—enough to beat the national average for cosmetology programs but far behind Washington's median of $21,785. In a state with 24 cosmetology schools, this program lands in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of Washington options deliver better earnings. The gap is real money: top programs in the state like Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy produce graduates earning $25,000+, roughly $6,000 more annually than Stylemaster's typical outcome.

The debt load of $11,048 is manageable compared to what cosmetologists face elsewhere, but here's the problem: those modest earnings mean even this reasonable debt takes significant time to pay down. With nearly two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants, many are counting on this training to provide economic mobility. When neighboring programs consistently deliver 15-30% higher earnings for similar debt, that's a meaningful difference in quality of life and financial stability.

For Washington families, the math is straightforward: you can find better-performing cosmetology programs in-state without taking on more debt. Unless location in Longview is essential or Stylemaster offers unique scheduling flexibility, you'd be wise to compare outcomes at schools like Paul Mitchell or Evergreen Beauty and Barber College before committing.