Cosmetology at Washburn Institute of Technology

Washburn Institute of Technology's cosmetology program punches well above its weight class nationally, placing in the 95th percentile for earnings while keeping debt manageable at $9,000. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates typically earn enough in their first year to cover more than twice their student debt—a strong starting position in a field where many programs leave students with worse financial outcomes. The $22,547 first-year earnings significantly outpace the national median of $17,113 for cosmetology programs.

Within Kansas, the picture is more competitive but still solid. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—essentially tied with Paul Mitchell the School-Overland Park at $22,440—it achieves top-tier results within the state. The margin between Kansas's top programs is narrow, suggesting that location in Topeka rather than differences in training quality might influence these rankings. What matters more is that Washburn sits comfortably above the Kansas median of $20,465.

For parents evaluating cosmetology training, this represents a smart investment: your child gets training that produces above-average earnings nationally while avoiding the debt traps that plague many beauty schools. The $9,000 debt level is reasonable for a field where practitioners can immediately start building clientele and income after graduation.