Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Plymouth

Plymouth, MN · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a smaller institution with 114 students in Plymouth, MN.

Program Analysis

At $24,178 per year, Cosmetology graduates from PCI Academy-Plymouth significantly outpace the $17,289 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $6,333 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

PCI Academy-Plymouth ranks #122 among 1,095 Cosmetology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 26% earnings increase from $24,178 to $30,439 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

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

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 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Plymouth?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Cosmetology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How affordable is Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Plymouth?
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.
What makes PCI Academy-Plymouth's Cosmetology program stand out?
Ranked #122 of 1,095 programs nationally, PCI Academy-Plymouth lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at PCI Academy-Plymouth?
If PCI Academy-Plymouth's tuition gives you pause, consider that 5 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Cosmetology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Cosmetology workers?
The career paths mapped to Cosmetology have roughly 145,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →