Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Madison

Madison, WI · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 52 students in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,868 put Paul Mitchell the School-Madison's Cosmetology program 32% above the national median of $17,289 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $22,868 far exceeding the $10,194 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Paul Mitchell the School-Madison ranks #180 among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 27% earnings increase from $22,868 to $29,114 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
45
Score
46
High End
Earnings $22,868/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$305K
6.2% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$10,194
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,114
27% 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

What can you do with a Cosmetology credential from Paul Mitchell the School-Madison? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Madison?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why does Paul Mitchell the School-Madison rank so high for Cosmetology?
Among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, Paul Mitchell the School-Madison's #180 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Cosmetology career paths, including Barber. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Paul Mitchell the School-Madison.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
Job availability for Cosmetology is strong — 145,700 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Paul Mitchell the School-Madison graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →