Cosmetology at ZMS The Academy

At $12,288 in first-year earnings, ZMS The Academy graduates earn significantly below both the California median ($14,600) and national average ($17,113) for cosmetology programs. Landing in just the 25th percentile statewide means three-quarters of California cosmetology programs deliver higher earnings. The top programs in the state—like The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose at $24,660—demonstrate that nearby alternatives can nearly double these outcomes.

The debt load of $7,000 is manageable in absolute terms, but that 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio reveals the real challenge: graduates need to dedicate roughly seven months of gross income just to cover their training costs. While the 4% earnings growth to $12,779 by year four shows some stability, these income levels remain well below what most California cosmetology graduates achieve. With only 11% of students receiving Pell grants, this isn't primarily serving lower-income students who might accept trade-offs for geographic access.

For a program in Los Angeles—where living costs are high and competition among beauty professionals is fierce—these earnings suggest graduates are struggling to gain traction in the market. Parents should ask whether their student has researched the specific instructor connections, job placement support, and salon relationships that distinguish higher-performing programs in the area. The modest debt becomes a heavier burden when paired with earnings that lag far behind what's achievable elsewhere in California's cosmetology market.