Cosmetology at Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, WI · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 4,497 students in Pewaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Waukesha County Technical College's Cosmetology program earn $27,049/yr in their first year — 56% above the $17,289 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 60.0x 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.

At $8,675 in median debt against $27,049 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #22 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
55
Score
56
High End
Earnings $27,049/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$283K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.0x
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)
$4,720
Out-of-state: $6,996
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,675
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Cosmetology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Waukesha County Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Waukesha County Technical College?
At 55/100, Waukesha County Technical College's Cosmetology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Waukesha County Technical College one of the best schools for Cosmetology?
Ranked #22 of 1,095 programs nationally, Waukesha County Technical College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at Waukesha County Technical College?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Cosmetology occupations, such as Barber and Cosmetologist. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Cosmetology graduates from Waukesha County Technical College find jobs?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology offers a very large employment pool. Waukesha County Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →