# Why Cosmetology Schools Are at Risk and What the Industry Needs to Know | Charles Riser JR, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Paul Mitchell Temple Academies (Annapolis & Frederick)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hairdresser-strong-show-3898070/why-cosmetology-schools-are-at-risk-and-what-the-industry-needs-to-know-charles-riser-jr-co-ceo-co-founder-paul-mitchell-temple-academies-annapolis-frederick
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hairdresser-strong-show-3898070/why-cosmetology-schools-are-at-risk-and-what-the-industry-needs-to-know-charles-riser-jr-co-ceo-co-founder-paul-mitchell-temple-academies-annapolis-frederick.md
Podcast: [The Hairdresser Strong Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hairdresser-strong-show-3898070)
Published: 2026-05-18T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://hairdresser-strong.captivate.fm/episode/why-cosmetology-schools-are-at-risk-and-what-the-industry-needs-to-know-charles-riser-jr-co-ceo-co-founder-paul-mitchell-temple-academies-annapolis-frederick
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/0de8a65d-c152-4f8b-b307-a5f2e5afcd7d.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2526

## Resource

In this episode, Charles Riser Jr., Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Temple Academies in Annapolis and Frederick , breaks down the federal rule changes that could affect cosmetology schools, student funding, and access to beauty education. He explains why the wage metrics being used are flawed, how the data fails to reflect the real earning power of licensed professionals, and why the industry needs to get louder, more informed, and more involved. 📣🚨 Submit your comment by Wed. May 20 - https://myaacs.org/submit-your-comment/ Key Takeaways: 🔅Understand what is actually being measured - The issue is not simply whether cosmetology graduates make money, but how the government is comparing graduate earnings against flawed high school graduate wage data. 🔅The data comparison is not apples to apples - Charles explains that the rule compares cosmetology graduates about three years out of school to high school graduates roughly fourteen years out, creating a distorted wage comparison. 🔅Part-time work changes the picture - Industry data shows many beauty professionals work part-time early in their careers, which can make annual income look lower even when hourly earning power is strong. 🔅Access to education is what is really at stake - If schools lose access to federal funding, students who rely on Pell Grants and federal loans may lose their pathway into cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, and related trades. 🔅This impacts more than one school or one state - Charles explains that the issue could affect accredited cosmetology schools nationally, especially because accredited institutions train a large share of industry graduates. 🔅Do not confuse accountability with bad data - Holding schools accountable is one conversation, but using flawed wage metrics to determine progr…

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