What do graduates of the cosmetology program typically earn?

The median earnings 2 years after completion for the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program are $18,555.

How many students finish the program?

The school reports a completion rate of 89.1%.

What is the enrollment size and how is it classified?

There are 193 students currently enrolled. The school is classified as a private for-profit institution.

What is the typical student debt compared to the yearly cost?

The median student debt at completion is $6,333, while the average annual net price after aid is $27,778.

Home › California › Cosmetology schools › Palomar Institute of Cosmetology

Palomar Institute of Cosmetology

San Marcos, California · private for-profit · mainly awards certificates · 193 students · CosmetologyBarbering

Avg net price / yr

$27,778

cheaper than 5% of comparable schools

Completion rate

89.1%

Median debt at completion

$6,333

Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)

$23,451

earns ~$844.2 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Palomar Institute of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school in San Marcos, CA that mainly awards certificates. It serves students seeking training in cosmetology and related personal grooming services. The institution reports an average annual net price of $27,778 after financial aid.

What to know

An 89.1% completion rate suggests most students finish their program. However, the average annual net price is $27,778, while the median student debt at completion is $6,333. Typical earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $23,451.

Net price is 57% above the California median ($17,658) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 17% below the national median ($28,378) for comparable schools.

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Programs & what graduates earn

Program	Credential	Median earnings 2 yrs after completion
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services	undergraduate certificate	$18,555

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In California:

Questions students ask

What do graduates of the cosmetology program typically earn?: The median earnings 2 years after completion for the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program are $18,555.
How many students finish the program?: The school reports a completion rate of 89.1%.
What is the enrollment size and how is it classified?: There are 193 students currently enrolled. The school is classified as a private for-profit institution.
What is the typical student debt compared to the yearly cost?: The median student debt at completion is $6,333, while the average annual net price after aid is $27,778.

Other options in California

School	City	Net price / yr	Completion	Earnings (10 yr)
Allan Hancock College	Santa Maria	$5,383	25.7%	$42,786
American Beauty College	West Covina	$25,781	75.3%	$22,481
Barstow Community College	Barstow	$12,773	19.5%	$35,104
Bellus Academy-Chula Vista	Chula Vista	$20,738	64.7%	$23,576
Butte College	Oroville	$5,520	36.3%	$41,810
California Beauty College	Modesto	$12,513	82.6%	$22,255

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 365125. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.