Cosmetology at Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, TX · Public · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 4,832 students in Wharton, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,087 at Wharton County Junior College come in 10% above the national median of $17,289 for Cosmetology programs.

The 101.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 33% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology graduates.

Ranked #18 out of 1,095 programs, Wharton County Junior College's Cosmetology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $19,087 to $27,644 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
56
Score
57
High End
Earnings $19,087/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$300K
9.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
102.8x
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)
$2,916
Out-of-state: $5,568
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,644
45% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Cosmetology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering personal services.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wharton County Junior College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wharton County Junior College's Cosmetology program score?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Cosmetology field.
Why does Wharton County Junior College rank so high for Cosmetology?
Ranked #18 of 1,095 programs nationally, Wharton County Junior College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Cosmetology graduates?
If Wharton County Junior College'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.
What's the AI uncertainty for Cosmetology careers?
Our model shows a 33% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Cosmetology careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
Will Cosmetology graduates from Wharton County Junior College find jobs?
Job availability for Cosmetology is strong — 145,700 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Wharton County Junior College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →