Cosmetology at Garden City Community College

Garden City, KS · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a smaller institution with 1,321 students in Garden City, KS.

Program Analysis

Garden City Community College's Cosmetology graduates start at $18,724/yr — above the $17,289 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 54.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,500 in median debt clears fast against $18,724 in annual earnings.

Garden City Community College ranks #59 among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Cosmetology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
49
Score
49
High End
Earnings $18,724/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$196K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.9x
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)
$3,570
Out-of-state: $4,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Cosmetology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering personal services.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Garden City Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Garden City Community College's Cosmetology program score?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Cosmetology graduates from Garden City Community College?
Median debt of just $5,500 against $18,724/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Garden City Community College's Cosmetology program stand out?
Among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, Garden City Community College's #59 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Cosmetology through an apprenticeship instead of Garden City Community College?
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.
Will Cosmetology graduates from Garden City Community College find jobs?
At 145,700 annual openings, Cosmetology has a very large employment base. Garden City Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →