Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville

Merrillville, IN · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 70 students in Merrillville, IN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $19,685/yr, edging above the $17,289 national average for Cosmetology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Some AI exposure exists in Cosmetology's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,833 in median debt against $19,685 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #530 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs, Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $19,685 to $24,618 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
44
High End
Earnings $19,685/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$256K
5.8% 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
$9,833
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$24,618
25% 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

Explore what Cosmetology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1095 programs nationwide.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville?
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.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
At 145,700 annual openings, Cosmetology has a very large employment base. Paul Mitchell the School-Merrillville graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →