Don Roberts School of Hair Design

Student life revolves entirely around the campus as a professional training facility. The school describes its campus as "designed to help students succeed," with a focus on beauty facilities, resources, and operational hours. The experience is defined by hands-on learning in a salon-like environment. There is no indication of traditional collegiate amenities like dorms, athletics, or Greek life. The social and communal aspect appears to be centered on the shared, intensive experience of mastering a trade. Learning is described as not one-dimensional, emphasizing the building of confidence alongside technical skills.

Outcomes data paints a picture of a school with a high completion rate but modest early-career earnings, typical of entry-level service industry positions. Key metrics from various sources include:

• A 76% graduation rate (compared to a 62% national average).
• A 100% first-year retention rate.
• An 80% on-time (100% of "normal time") completion rate for its programs.
• Median earnings six years after graduation are reported at $13,000.
• Median earnings ten years after graduation are reported at $20,000.
• One source lists earnings one year after graduation at $16,097 and five years after at $19,765.
• Median debt at graduation is reported as $8,000.

The high graduation and retention rates suggest students who enroll are generally committed and see the program through, but the earnings figures reflect the starting wages in the cosmetology field.

The cost structure and financial aid are typical of a for-profit trade school, heavily reliant on federal programs. The reported average net priceNet priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.—the cost after grants and scholarships—is $17,345 per year. The sticker price breakdown shows that 39% of students receive federal grants (averaging $3,430), while 48% take out loans (averaging $5,442). State and institutional grants are reported as 0%. The school states it offers financial aid "to those who qualify," primarily through federal programs like Pell Grants and Direct Loans. It also mentions an institutional "Choice Scholarship." There is no indication of a no-loan policy or a commitment to meet full demonstrated financial need. The school handbook notes a policy where students missing more than 10% of classes may be charged an hourly rate, linking attendance directly to cost.

Don Roberts stands out for its utter lack of pretense and its single-minded focus. It is not trying to be a college; it is a trade school with a 60-year history, offering a direct, unvarnished path into the beauty industry. Its 100% acceptance rateAcceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. and document-based admissions remove traditional barriers to entry. Its success metrics are purely vocational: high completion rates (76% graduation, 100% retention) leading to state licensure and employment. While post-graduation earnings are low, the value proposition is clear for students seeking a specific, hands-on skill set without the time or expense of a traditional degree. It also stands out for its local claim—contested in at least one review—to be the only spa school in northwest Indiana, positioning itself as a niche, community-focused provider.