Cosmetology at The Hair Academy

The Hair Academy's graduates earn $29,327 in their first year—71% more than the national median for cosmetology programs and placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That's an impressive outcome for a field where many programs leave students earning well below $20,000. The $11,809 in median debt is reasonable for the field and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, meaning graduates can expect to earn back their investment in less than six months.

Within North Dakota, this program holds its own at the 60th percentile, essentially matching what The Salon Professional Academy-Fargo delivers. While Josef's schools show slightly lower earnings, the practical difference is minimal—we're talking about variations of just a few hundred dollars annually in a state where the cosmetology market appears fairly consistent. The modest 3% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates hit their earning potential quickly, which is typical for licensed trades where income depends more on building a client base than climbing a career ladder.

For parents concerned about cosmetology training, this program stands out nationally while delivering competitive results locally. The combination of manageable debt and first-year earnings that significantly exceed national norms makes this a solid choice if your child is committed to the profession.