Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy-Huntsville

The standout story here is the 70% earnings jump between years one and four—far more dramatic growth than most cosmetology programs show. While graduates start below both state and national medians at $15,804, by year four they're earning $26,885, well above Alabama's median of $16,147 and approaching the earnings of the state's highest-performing programs. This suggests The Salon Professional Academy is teaching skills that translate into career advancement, not just entry-level positions.

The $10,951 in debt sits below Alabama's state median of $12,391, creating a manageable burden even during that slower first year. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means graduates owe less than 9 months of their initial salary—and that ratio improves dramatically as earnings climb. For comparison, top Alabama programs like Lurleen B Wallace show higher year-one earnings but we don't know if they sustain that same growth trajectory.

If your child is willing to work through a tougher financial first year—possibly supplementing with other income or living at home—this program delivers substantially better medium-term outcomes than the typical Alabama cosmetology school. The earnings growth pattern suggests graduates are building clientele and advancing into better positions, which is exactly what you want to see in this field.