Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Certificate

with a mid-sized student body of 11,362 in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College's Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program earn $23,198/yr in their first year — 34% above the $17,289 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 57.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,500 in median debt against $23,198 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #42 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $23,198 to $27,922 over five years — a 20% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $23,198/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$288K
4.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
57.5x
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)
$5,017
Out-of-state: $7,210
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,922
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services 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 →

About Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Careers

Your day will be hands-on, creative, and social. You might spend it behind the chair with scissors and foils, transforming a client’s style, or at a dedicated station, meticulously performing manicures. Others find their niche in quiet spa rooms, providing facials and expert skincare advice. The work is built on direct interaction and trust, turning first-time customers into loyal regulars.

Read the full Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Overview

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.
Why does Milwaukee Area Technical College rank so high for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services?
Ranked #42 of 1,095 programs nationally, Milwaukee Area Technical College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services workers?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →