Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Iowa City

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

a smaller institution with 103 students in Iowa City, IA.

Program Analysis

PCI Academy-Iowa City Cosmetology 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.

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.

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

At #134 of 1,095 nationally, this is a top-5% Cosmetology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $24,178 to $30,439 over five years — a 26% 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.

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 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

See the full career breakdown for Cosmetology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from PCI Academy-Iowa City and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at PCI Academy-Iowa City

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Iowa City?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How affordable is Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Iowa City?
At $6,333 in median debt, Cosmetology graduates from PCI Academy-Iowa City carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes PCI Academy-Iowa City's Cosmetology program stand out?
Ranked #134 of 1,095 programs nationally, PCI Academy-Iowa City 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?
Beyond PCI Academy-Iowa City's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Cosmetology careers — including Barber. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Cosmetology from PCI Academy-Iowa City?
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 →