Cosmetology at Victory Career College

Victory Career College's cosmetology program produces concerning results that fall well below what families should expect from a beauty school investment. While the debt load of $6,333 is manageable at first glance, the first-year earnings of just $12,775 tell a troubling story—that's barely above minimum wage for full-time work in California. Among cosmetology programs statewide, this lands at the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of California beauty schools produce better-earning graduates. The comparison to top programs is stark: graduates from San Jose City College earn nearly double at $23,253.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 might seem reasonable, but the absolute earning power is what matters here. At under $13,000 annually, graduates may struggle to support themselves while building a clientele, even with relatively modest debt. Victory serves a predominantly low-income student population (55% receive Pell grants), making these weak outcomes particularly problematic for families who can least afford a credential that doesn't meaningfully improve earning potential.

California has 130 cosmetology programs to choose from, and this data suggests many would serve your child better. Community colleges like San Jose City College offer similar training with dramatically better career outcomes. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling reasons to attend Victory, the numbers point toward exploring alternatives that better position graduates for financial stability in the beauty industry.