Cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline

Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy stands out nationally—graduates earn $25,497 within their first year, placing this program in the 95th percentile among cosmetology schools nationwide and roughly $8,400 above the national median. Within Washington state, however, the picture shifts: these earnings rank at the 60th percentile, trailing several competitors including Paul Mitchell-Spokane by about $1,000. Still, graduates here earn nearly $4,000 more than Washington's typical cosmetology program graduate, making this a solid choice even within a state where beauty programs generally perform well.

The debt load of $12,344 translates to a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio—you'd expect to owe less than half of first-year income, which is reasonable for a certificate program. What gives parents pause should be the flat earnings trajectory: graduates earn essentially the same amount in year four as they do in year one. In cosmetology, this isn't necessarily alarming since many graduates build clientele or transition to booth rental models that may not appear in wage data, but it does mean the program opens doors rather than guarantees income growth.

Bottom line: If your child is committed to a career in cosmetology, this program delivers strong initial outcomes at a reasonable price. Just understand that building a lucrative career in this field depends heavily on entrepreneurial skills and reputation-building beyond what any school can provide.