Cosmetology at KaiStar

Federal Way, WA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 151 students in Federal Way, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,084 put KaiStar's Cosmetology program 34% above the national median of $17,289 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology graduates.

With first-year pay of $23,084 far exceeding the $10,555 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #159 out of 1,095 programs, KaiStar's Cosmetology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $23,084 to $30,887 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Cosmetology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
45
Score
46
High End
Earnings $23,084/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$327K
7.5% 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
$10,555
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,887
34% 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

Cosmetology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at KaiStar?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is KaiStar one of the best schools for Cosmetology?
Ranked #159 of 1,095 programs nationally, KaiStar lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at KaiStar?
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.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
The very large job market (145,700 annual openings) works in favor of Cosmetology graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →