Cosmetology at Southside Virginia Community College

Alberta, VA · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a smaller institution with 1,835 students in Alberta, VA.

Program Analysis

At $16,944/yr, Cosmetology graduates from Southside Virginia Community College land near the $17,289 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 36.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cosmetology programs nationally.

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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At #404 of 1,095 Cosmetology programs, Southside Virginia Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
43
Score
44
High End
Earnings $16,944/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$177K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.6x
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)
$4,848
Out-of-state: $10,851

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

Cosmetology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southside Virginia Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Southside Virginia Community College?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Cosmetology graduates?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Cosmetology. For students weighing Southside Virginia Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Cosmetology graduates?
With approximately 145,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Cosmetology offers a very large employment pool. Southside Virginia Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →