Cosmetology at San Jose City College
enrolling 7,039 students in San Jose, CA.
Program Analysis
San Jose City College Cosmetology graduates command $23,253/yr out of the gate, well above the $17,289 national median. That 34% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 178.1x 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.
Ranked #2 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs nationally, San Jose City College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.
Cosmetology offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Cosmetology Career Guide
Cosmetology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.