Cosmetology at Florida Gateway College

Lake City, FL · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

with a smaller student body of 2,231 in Lake City, FL.

Program Analysis

Florida Gateway College's Cosmetology program produces graduates earning $16,195/yr — within striking distance of the $17,289 national average for this trade.

The 54.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,550 in median debt clears fast against $16,195 in annual earnings.

A #69 ranking out of 1,095 Cosmetology programs nationally puts Florida Gateway College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Cosmetology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $16,195/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$169K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$3,100
Out-of-state: $11,747
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,550
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Explore what Cosmetology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1095 programs nationwide.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Florida Gateway College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Florida Gateway College's Cosmetology program score?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Cosmetology. For students weighing Florida Gateway College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
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 →