“Do No Harm” Rule Could Put Federal Aid for Beauty Schools at Risk

A new U.S. Department of Education proposal could put federal student aid at serious risk for most cosmetology, barbering and wellness programs—based on how much graduates earn after school compared to workers without a college degree.

Part of a broader higher education accountability rule known as “Do No Harm,” the proposal would evaluate programs using an “earnings premium” test—measuring whether graduates out-earn adults ages 25 to 34 with only a high school diploma or equivalent.

In practical terms, that benchmark is roughly $30,000 to $35,000…