Cosmetology at Dorsey College
a smaller institution with 547 students in Madison Heights, MI.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $10,878 place Dorsey College below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 40% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $16,500 against $10,878/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.5 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load for a trade program.
Ranked #1093 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs, Dorsey College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $17,208 show a 58% jump from the $10,878 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
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
See the full career breakdown for Cosmetology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Dorsey College and 1094 other schools.