Cosmetology at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education

Lexington, KY · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 200 students in Lexington, KY.

Program Analysis

Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education's Cosmetology graduates start at $13,117/yr, trailing the $17,289 national average by 24%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $14,089 against $13,117/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load for a trade program.

Ranked #971 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs, Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $14,402 are relatively flat compared to the $13,117 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Cosmetology offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
41
Score
42
High End
Earnings $13,117/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$146K
2.4% 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
$14,089
12.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$14,402
10% 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 Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 41/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Cosmetology at Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education worth the student debt?
Median debt of $14,089 against $13,117/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average for a trade program — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Is Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education a good choice for Cosmetology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education'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?
Beyond Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Cosmetology careers — including Barber. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology offers a very large employment pool. Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →