Cosmetology at Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

enrolling 11,571 students in Fort Pierce, FL.

Program Analysis

At $18,411 per year, Cosmetology graduates from Indian River State College earn slightly above the $17,289 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 83.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Indian River State College ranks #25 among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 22% earnings increase from $18,411 to $22,421 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.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
54
Score
54
High End
Earnings $18,411/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$232K
5.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
84.0x
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)
$2,764
Out-of-state: $10,201
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$22,421
22% 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 Indian River State College and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indian River State College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Indian River State College's Cosmetology program score?
At 54/100, Indian River State College's Cosmetology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Indian River State College one of the best schools for Cosmetology?
Ranked #25 of 1,095 programs nationally, Indian River State College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Cosmetology through an apprenticeship instead of Indian River State College?
If Indian River State College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 5 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Cosmetology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology offers a very large employment pool. Indian River State College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →