Cosmetology at West Georgia Technical College

Waco, GA · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a smaller institution with 4,811 students in Waco, GA.

Program Analysis

West Georgia Technical College's Cosmetology graduates start at $11,925/yr, trailing the $17,289 national average by 31%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 66.1x 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 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $7,274 represents roughly 7 months of the $11,925 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #58 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $21,930 show a 84% jump from the $11,925 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
49
Score
50
High End
Earnings $11,925/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$209K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.0x
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)
$3,122
Out-of-state: $5,522
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,274
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$21,930
84% 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

Other Majors at West Georgia Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology at West Georgia Technical College?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What makes West Georgia Technical College's Cosmetology program stand out?
Among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, West Georgia Technical College's #58 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can you still earn well with Cosmetology from West Georgia Technical College?
Lower starting pay at West Georgia Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Cosmetology through an apprenticeship instead of West Georgia 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.
How could AI change the job market for Cosmetology graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
Job availability for Cosmetology is strong — 145,700 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For West Georgia Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in GA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →