Cosmetology at Academy of Salon and Spa

Fort Smith, AR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 81 students in Fort Smith, AR.

Program Analysis

At $19,443 per year, Cosmetology graduates from Academy of Salon and Spa earn slightly above the $17,289 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

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

The median debt load of $6,333 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #334 ranking among 1,095 Cosmetology programs places Academy of Salon and Spa in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
44
High End
Earnings $19,443/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$19K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,333
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$19,339
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

What can you do with a Cosmetology credential from Academy of Salon and Spa? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Academy of Salon and Spa?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology?
Beyond Academy of Salon and Spa's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Cosmetology careers — including Barber. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Cosmetology graduates from Academy of Salon and Spa find jobs?
At 145,700 annual openings, Cosmetology has a very large employment base. Academy of Salon and Spa graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →