Cosmetology at Ideal Beauty Academy

Louisville, KY · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 7 students in Louisville, KY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $19,513/yr, edging above the $17,289 national average for Cosmetology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $7,917 in median debt against $19,513 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #518 ranking among 1,095 Cosmetology programs places Ideal Beauty Academy in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 23% earnings increase from $19,513 to $24,079 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
44
High End
Earnings $19,513/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$250K
5.4% 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
$7,917
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$24,079
23% 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 Ideal Beauty Academy and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ideal Beauty Academy's Cosmetology program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at Ideal Beauty Academy?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Cosmetology. For students weighing Ideal Beauty Academy's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
At 145,700 annual openings, Cosmetology has a very large employment base. Ideal Beauty Academy graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →