Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at American Hair Academy

Mt. Pleasant, IA · Private for-profit · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 27 students in Mt. Pleasant, IA.

Program Analysis

At $10,853 per year, Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates from American Hair Academy earn below the $17,289 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.

The $13,189 debt load exceeds a year of the $10,853 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #878 out of 1,095 programs, American Hair Academy's financial outcomes for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $10,853 to $23,161 over five years (113% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful 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.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $10,853/yr (-37% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$190K
12.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$13,189
14.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$23,161
113% 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

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

How does American Hair Academy's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program score?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the payoff timeline for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services from American Hair Academy?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Is American Hair Academy a good choice for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If American Hair Academy's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services career paths, including Barber. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How could AI change the job market for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
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 →