Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Gaston College
a smaller institution with 3,359 students in Dallas, NC.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $27,008 put Gaston College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program 56% above the national median of $17,289 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 88.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs nationally.
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 0% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #4 of 1,095 Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs nationally, Gaston College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.
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 →