Cosmetology at La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology

Mason City, IA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 56 students in Mason City, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's Cosmetology program earn $23,313/yr in their first year — 35% above the $17,289 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $8,000 in median debt against $23,313 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology ranks #140 among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
45
Score
46
High End
Earnings $23,313/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$23K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,000
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$19,351
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

What can you do with a Cosmetology credential from La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

How does La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's Cosmetology program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology one of the best schools for Cosmetology?
Ranked #140 of 1,095 programs nationally, La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology?
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 La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology offers a very large employment pool. La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →