Cosmetology at Summit Salon Academy

Summit Salon Academy's cosmetology program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for graduate earnings—placing it among the top 5% of cosmetology programs in the country. With first-year earnings of $22,595 and steady growth to $26,144 by year four, graduates earn roughly $5,500 more annually than the national median for cosmetology certificate holders. The debt load of $10,000 is manageable for the field, representing just five months of first-year income.

Within Washington state, the picture is more nuanced. While Summit ranks in the 60th percentile among WA programs, that still means graduates outperform 60% of their in-state peers. Several Seattle-area schools do produce slightly higher-earning graduates, but Summit's outcomes remain solidly above the state median of $21,785. For Tacoma-area families, this represents a clear path to stable employment without the heavy debt burden that plagues many career programs.

The 16% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates build clientele and develop their skills meaningfully over time. For students committed to a cosmetology career, this program delivers strong value: near-national-best earnings outcomes with debt that's entirely reasonable for the profession. The key is ensuring your child genuinely wants to work in this field, as these earnings—while excellent for cosmetology—won't match what bachelor's degree programs in other fields can offer.