Home › Saddleback College › Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA · Public · Certificate

with a mid-sized student body of 15,959 in Mission Viejo, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $11,257/yr fall 35% below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 82.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.

Ranked #35 out of 1,095 programs, Saddleback College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $11,257/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$118K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
82.2x
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)
$1,432
Out-of-state: $13,732

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%
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 →

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 →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Overview

View all 1095 schools offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services →

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Other Schools

Saint Paul College ($32,987) Florida State College at Jacksonville ($29,668) The Salon Professional Academy-Fargo ($29,330) The Hair Academy ($29,327) The Esthetic Institute ($29,301) Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Grand Forks ($28,331) Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Fargo ($28,331) Summit Salon Academy Kansas City ($27,878)

Other Majors at Saddleback College

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($19,673) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($16,740)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Saddleback College?
At 52/100, Saddleback College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What makes Saddleback College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program stand out?
Among 1,095 Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs, Saddleback College's #35 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is Saddleback College a good choice for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Saddleback College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services have roughly 145,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →