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Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, TX · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 4,832 students in Wharton, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,087 at Wharton County Junior College come in 10% above the national median of $17,289 for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs.

The 101.7x 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 33% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.

Ranked #18 out of 1,095 programs, Wharton County Junior College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $19,087 to $27,644 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
56
Score
57
High End
Earnings $19,087/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$300K
9.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
102.8x
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)
$2,916
Out-of-state: $5,568
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,644
45% 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 Wharton County Junior College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,791) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,919) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($48,326) Physical Science Technologies/Technicians ($45,277) Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) ($32,414) Business/Commerce, General ($29,619) Precision Metal Working ($28,408) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($27,148)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wharton County Junior College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program score?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services field.
Why does Wharton County Junior College rank so high for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services?
Ranked #18 of 1,095 programs nationally, Wharton County Junior College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
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.
What's the AI uncertainty for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services careers?
Our model shows a 33% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates?
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 →