Cosmetology at Winston Salem Barber School

Winston Salem Barber School graduates earn just $9,785 their first year—less than half the state median for cosmetology programs and placing this in the bottom 10% of North Carolina beauty schools. Even after four years, when earnings climb to $15,254, graduates still trail the state median by nearly $2,000 annually. Compare this to North Carolina's stronger cosmetology programs: Gaston College graduates earn $27,008, while even mid-tier options like Rowan-Cabarrus reach $22,578. This school serves a predominantly low-income student population (71% receive Pell grants), yet delivers outcomes that lag far behind both state and national benchmarks.

The 56% earnings growth sounds promising until you realize it's climbing from an extremely low base—first-year earnings that barely exceed poverty wages. While the debt load of $6,936 is relatively modest compared to the national average, it still represents nine months of first-year income. Graduates at better-performing North Carolina community colleges carry similar debt but earn two to three times as much right out of school.

For families considering cosmetology training in North Carolina, this program's track record suggests looking elsewhere. The state has 75 cosmetology programs, and this one ranks near the bottom for graduate earnings. Community colleges like Gaston or Wake Technical offer comparable training with dramatically better earning potential—a difference that compounds over an entire career.