Cosmetology at Trinity Valley Community College

Trinity Valley's cosmetology program charges $5,500 in median debt—substantially less than the $18,312 Texas median—but graduates earn just $12,707 in their first year. While that places this program in the bottom 10% nationally, it's actually close to the Texas median of $14,040 for cosmetology programs. The context matters here: cosmetology earnings are notoriously low across the board, and Texas programs appear to underperform the national average significantly.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means graduates owe roughly five months of their annual income, which is manageable compared to many associate degree programs. Earnings do grow modestly to $14,110 by year four, nearly matching the state median. The real advantage here is avoiding the debt trap—many Texas cosmetology programs saddle students with $18,000+ in loans for similar earning outcomes.

For a parent evaluating this path, understand that cosmetology simply doesn't generate high wages initially, regardless of where your child trains. Trinity Valley keeps costs reasonable, which is the most important factor when expected earnings hover around $14,000. If your child is committed to this field, the lower debt load here beats accumulating twice as much at comparable programs. Just ensure they understand the financial reality of the profession before enrolling.