Cosmetology at West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Distribution
How West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates earn $14k, placing them in the 21th percentile of all cosmetology certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (27 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | $14,110 | $14,887 | — | — |
| PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green | $21,439 | $20,857 | $10,667 | 0.50 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Louisville | $20,033 | $23,572 | $12,583 | 0.63 |
| Ideal Beauty Academy | $19,513 | $18,702 | $8,401 | 0.43 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Lexington | $18,950 | $18,824 | $16,500 | 0.87 |
| Empire Beauty School-Florence | $18,408 | $20,474 | $15,765 | 0.86 |
| National Median | $17,113 | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Other Cosmetology Programs in Kentucky
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Kentucky schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green Bowling Green | — | $21,439 | $10,667 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Louisville Louisville | — | $20,033 | $12,583 |
| Ideal Beauty Academy Louisville | — | $19,513 | $8,401 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Lexington Lexington | — | $18,950 | $16,500 |
| Empire Beauty School-Florence Florence | — | $18,408 | $15,765 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At West Kentucky Community and Technical College, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.