Cosmetology at Kilgore College

Kilgore, TX · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 3,133 students in Kilgore, TX.

Program Analysis

At $15,957/yr, Cosmetology graduates from Kilgore College land near the $17,289 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 77.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cosmetology programs nationally.

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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $8,250 represents roughly 6 months of the $15,957 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #41 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $15,957/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$167K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
77.3x
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)
$2,160
Out-of-state: $5,256
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,250
6.2 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

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

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kilgore College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology at Kilgore College?
At 52/100, Kilgore College's Cosmetology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Kilgore College one of the best schools for Cosmetology?
Ranked #41 of 1,095 programs nationally, Kilgore College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Cosmetology through an apprenticeship instead of Kilgore College?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Cosmetology. For students weighing Kilgore College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Cosmetology graduates from Kilgore College find jobs?
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 →