Cosmetology at Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 2,492 students in Mattoon, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $13,714 place Lake Land College below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 55.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At #91 of 1,095 programs, this Cosmetology program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $13,714-to-$31,004 earnings arc over five years reflects a 126% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Cosmetology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
47
Score
48
High End
Earnings $13,714/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$241K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.2x
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)
$4,280
Out-of-state: $13,906
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,004
126% 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 Lake Land College and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lake Land College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lake Land College's Cosmetology program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Can you still earn well with Cosmetology from Lake Land College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Lake Land College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at Lake Land College?
Beyond Lake Land College's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Cosmetology careers — including Barber. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How could AI change the job market for Cosmetology graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
The very large job market (145,700 annual openings) works in favor of Cosmetology graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →