Cosmetology at Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School

Virginia Beach, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 206 students in Virginia Beach, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $20,028 at Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School come in 16% above the national median of $17,289 for Cosmetology programs.

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 29% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $13,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $20,028 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #256 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $20,028 to $27,641 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $20,028/yr (16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$296K
8.4% 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
$13,000
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,641
38% 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why does Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School rank so high for Cosmetology?
The #256 ranking out of 1,095 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School?
Beyond Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School'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.
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 →