Reporting tool — not an official determination. This tool reflects DOE rulemaking data and modeled estimates. The public file is grouped at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level; the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs, so similar-looking majors may be classified differently across colleges. Use as a reporting lead, not a regulatory finding.
States › Texas › Amarillo, TX › Wade Gordon Hairdressing Academy › Personal & Culinary Services › Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.

Wade Gordon Hairdressing Academy · Amarillo, TX · CIP 1204 · Undergrad Certificate
DOE-modeled fail
DOE's public modeling data suggests this broad program grouping failed the earnings premium measure. This is based on the 4-digit CIP grouping level used in the rulemaking file — the actual rule would operate at the 6-digit level.
⚠ Data caution
This record reflects a 4-digit CIP grouping (1204) used in DOE's public modeling file. Actual enforcement under the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. The specific programs inside this grouping depend on institution-assigned CIP coding and may not map neatly to how Wade Gordon Hairdressing Academy markets its majors.

Earnings data

Median earnings (yr 4 after completion)
$23,410
n=86
DOE earnings benchmark
$34,808
$11,398 below benchmark
Benchmark type
Not Listed in Section 84001
This CIP code is "Not Listed in Section 84001" of the benchmark statute. DOE uses the national high school median ($34,808) as the earnings benchmark rather than a field-specific or state-specific rate.

Program context

Enrollment & completion

Program enrollment
311 (2024–25)
310 (2023–24)
Completers
110 (2024–25)
104 (2023–24)
Non-completion rate
19.4%
60 non-completers (2022–23)
Completers with earnings data
86
used in DOE earnings test

Debt & financial aid

Median federal debt at graduation
$12,391
n=102
Loan recipients
222 (2024–25)
231 (2023–24)
Total loan volume
$1,059,777 (2024–25)
$1,127,461 (2023–24)
Pell recipients
254 (2024–25)
246 (2023–24)

Student demographics (2018–19 enrollment)

Women
80.7%
Black / African American
5.3%
Hispanic
46.7%
White
43.3%
Enrollment and financial aid data are from the PPD:2026 source files. Demographics reflect 2018–19 program enrollees. Privacy-suppressed values are not shown.

Story angle tags

for profit comparison

Reporting prompts

Methodology

What PPD:2026 is: The Department of Education's Program Performance Data file, released as part of the 2026 rulemaking. It models program outcomes at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level.

Why modeled exposure is not a final result: These are modeled estimates from a single cohort snapshot. They cannot account for future appeals, teach-outs, institutional changes, or student behavior changes.

The 4-digit vs. 6-digit gap: The public file uses 4-digit CIP codes. The actual proposed rule would use 6-digit codes. About 83% of 4-digit CIPs contain only one 6-digit CIP, but the rest may contain many.

Institution-assigned CIP codes: Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs. Similar majors at different colleges can be classified under different CIP codes, especially for interdisciplinary or area-studies programs.

Earnings measurement: Earnings are measured roughly four years after program completion, which may undercount lifetime earnings in fields with slower early-career income growth.

Benchmarks: Undergraduate programs are benchmarked against working adults aged 25–34 with only a high school diploma. Graduate programs use a more complex bachelor's-degree benchmark.

Plain-language summary (copy for notes)

DOE's public rulemaking file suggests the broad program grouping Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. (CIP 1204, Undergrad Certificate) at Wade Gordon Hairdressing Academy carries a DOE-modeled fail designation under the proposed earnings-accountability rule. This grouping is defined at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level, while the actual proposal would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. This should be treated as a reporting lead rather than a definitive regulatory finding.