Cosmetology at Cortiva Institute

Linthicum, MD · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

with a smaller student body of 251 in Linthicum, MD.

Program Analysis

At $20,754 per year, Cosmetology graduates from Cortiva Institute earn slightly above the $17,289 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Some AI exposure exists in Cosmetology's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 27% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $6,967 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #251 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $20,754 to $27,921 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Cosmetology offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $20,754/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$296K
7.7% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$6,967
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,921
35% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Cosmetology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Personal service managers, all other $61,340 +6.5% 48%
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance $50,280 +8.1% 66%
First-line supervisors of personal service workers $47,080 +6.7% 59%
Personal service managers, all other
$61,340
+6.5% growth 48% AI-proof
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
$50,280
+8.1% growth 66% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of personal service workers
$47,080
+6.7% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

Cosmetology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Cosmetology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Cortiva Institute and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cortiva Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Cortiva Institute?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Cortiva Institute one of the best schools for Cosmetology?
Ranked #251 of 1,095 programs nationally, Cortiva Institute lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Cosmetology through an apprenticeship instead of Cortiva Institute?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Cosmetology. For students weighing Cortiva Institute's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
The career paths mapped to Cosmetology have roughly 145,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →