Cosmetology at American Barber and Beauty Academy
a compact campus enrolling 118 students in Reading, PA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $12,155/yr fall 30% below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
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.
Median debt of $11,346 represents roughly 11 months of the $12,155 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.
Ranked #1051 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs, American Barber and Beauty Academy falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Cosmetology offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Cosmetology Career Guide
Explore what Cosmetology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1095 programs nationwide.