Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Dorsey College
a smaller institution with 547 students in Madison Heights, MI.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $10,878 place Dorsey College below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $16,500 against $10,878/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.5 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load for a trade program.
Ranked #1093 of 1,095 Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs, Dorsey College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $17,208 show a 58% jump from the $10,878 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services 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% |
About Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Careers
Your day will be hands-on, creative, and social. You might spend it behind the chair with scissors and foils, transforming a client’s style, or at a dedicated station, meticulously performing manicures. Others find their niche in quiet spa rooms, providing facials and expert skincare advice. The work is built on direct interaction and trust, turning first-time customers into loyal regulars.
Read the full Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services career guide →