Cosmetology at Institute of Beauty Careers

Arecibo, PR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a smaller institution with 132 students in Arecibo, PR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $9,000 place Institute of Beauty Careers below the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #917 ranking among 1,095 Cosmetology programs places Institute of Beauty Careers in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $9,000-to-$14,619 earnings arc over five years reflects a 62% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $9,000/yr (-48% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$158K
12.0% 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.

Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$14,619
62% 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 Institute of Beauty Careers and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Institute of Beauty Careers's Cosmetology program score?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Institute of Beauty Careers a good choice for Cosmetology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Institute of Beauty Careers's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Cosmetology through an apprenticeship instead of Institute of Beauty Careers?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Cosmetology career paths, including Barber. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Institute of Beauty Careers.
How could AI change the job market for Cosmetology graduates?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Cosmetology careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
The career paths mapped to Cosmetology have roughly 145,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →