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Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, IA · Private for-profit · Certificate

a smaller institution with 170 students in Ames, IA.

Program Analysis

PCI Academy-Ames Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates command $24,178/yr out of the gate, well above the $17,289 national median. That 40% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,333 in median debt clears fast against $24,178 in annual earnings.

A #109 ranking out of 1,095 Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs nationally puts PCI Academy-Ames in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $24,178 to $30,439 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
46
Score
47
High End
Earnings $24,178/yr (40% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$318K
5.9% 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
$6,333
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,439
26% 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

View all 1095 schools offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services →

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Other Schools

Saint Paul College ($32,987) Florida State College at Jacksonville ($29,668) The Salon Professional Academy-Fargo ($29,330) The Hair Academy ($29,327) The Esthetic Institute ($29,301) Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Grand Forks ($28,331) Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Fargo ($28,331) Summit Salon Academy Kansas City ($27,878)

Other Majors at PCI Academy-Ames

Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services ($26,872)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at PCI Academy-Ames?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates from PCI Academy-Ames?
Median debt of just $6,333 against $24,178/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services through an apprenticeship instead?
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.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates?
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 →