Cosmetology at California Hair Design Academy

La Mesa, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

with a smaller student body of 125 in La Mesa, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $10,829 place California Hair Design Academy below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

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

The $6,333 debt-to-$10,829 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #860 out of 1,095 programs, California Hair Design Academy's financial outcomes for Cosmetology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $10,829 to $14,130 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Cosmetology, 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 $10,829/yr (-37% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$149K
6.9% 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
$6,333
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$14,130
30% 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

See the full career breakdown for Cosmetology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from California Hair Design Academy and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 41/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at California Hair Design Academy?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Cosmetology earnings lower at California Hair Design Academy?
Lower starting pay at California Hair Design Academy may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Cosmetology graduates?
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.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology offers a very large employment pool. California Hair Design Academy graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →