Home › Southwestern Community College › Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Southwestern Community College

Sylva, NC · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 1,304 students in Sylva, NC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $14,354/yr fall 17% below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 25.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #1072 ranking among 1,095 Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs places Southwestern Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
40
Score
40
High End
Earnings $14,354/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$150K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
25.9x
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)
$5,806
Out-of-state: $19,630
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$17,717
23% growth from Year 1

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 Southwestern Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($61,931) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($48,233) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($42,374) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($31,162) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($30,899) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($25,973)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Southwestern Community College?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why are Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services earnings lower at Southwestern Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
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 →