Cosmetology at Gaston College
a smaller institution with 3,359 students in Dallas, NC.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $27,008 put Gaston College's Cosmetology program 56% above the national median of $17,289 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 88.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cosmetology programs nationally.
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 0% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #4 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs nationally, Gaston College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.
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
Explore what Cosmetology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1095 programs nationwide.