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Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, NC · Public · Certificate

a smaller institution with 3,517 students in Hickory, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $16,506/yr, roughly in line with the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 73.0x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.

Ranked #40 out of 1,095 programs, Catawba Valley Community College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $16,506/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$173K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
73.0x
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)
$2,367
Out-of-state: $7,743

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 Catawba Valley Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($64,707) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($55,128) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($52,273) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,425) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($41,191) Accounting and Related Services ($35,972) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($32,230) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($29,469)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Catawba Valley Community College?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.
Why does Catawba Valley Community College rank so high for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services?
Ranked #40 of 1,095 programs nationally, Catawba Valley Community 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?
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 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 →