Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Alabama
Ranked by graduate earnings
Lurleen B Wallace Community College, Blue Cliff Career College and George C Wallace Community College - Dothan are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Alabama by graduate earnings. Lurleen B Wallace Community College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $20,912, College Scorecard. Gadsden State Community College, Shelton State Community College and Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Alabama: 123, 102 and 77 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 27 Alabama colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 1,442 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…
Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia Public · Certificate | $20,912 | 62 | 41% | — | — |
| 2 | Blue Cliff Career College Mobile Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,014 | 49 | 80% | $13,143 | $9,833 |
| 3 | George C Wallace Community College - Dothan Dothan Public · Certificate | $19,828 | 71 | 35% | — | — |
| 4 | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden Public · Associate degree | $19,107 | 123 | 38% | — | — |
| 5 | Bevill State Community College Jasper Public · Associate degree | $19,013 | 23 | 38% | — | — |
| 6 | Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology Jackson Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,328 | 77 | 62% | $18,679 | $16,500 |
| 7 | Brown Beauty Barber School Bessemer Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,147 | 27 | 83% | $19,971 | $16,500 |
| 8 | The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville Huntsville Private for-profit · Certificate | $15,804 | 27 | 57% | $17,971 | $10,951 |
| 9 | Paul Mitchell the School - Birmingham Hoover Private for-profit · Certificate | $15,782 | 57 | 56% | $14,065 | $13,831 |
| 10 | Remington College - Mobile Campus Mobile Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $15,381 | 42 | 42% | $26,969 | $14,750 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Alabama
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden Public | 123 | $19,107 |
| 2 | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa Public | 102 | Not reported |
| 3 | Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology Jackson Private for-profit | 77 | $16,328 |
| 4 | George C Wallace Community College - Dothan Dothan Public | 71 | $19,828 |
| 5 | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville Public | 70 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia Public | 62 | $20,912 |
| 7 | George C Wallace State Community College - Hanceville Hanceville Public | 57 | Not reported |
| 8 | Paul Mitchell the School - Birmingham Hoover Private for-profit | 57 | $15,782 |
| 9 | Winonah's International School of Cosmetology Hoover Private for-profit | 53 | Not reported |
| 10 | Southern Union State Community College Wadley Public | 50 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 17 Alabama colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| J F Ingram State Technical College | Deatsville | Public | 198 |
| J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College | Huntsville | Public | 68 |
| Blue Cliff Career College | Mobile | Private for-profit | 49 |
| Northwest Shoals Community College | Muscle Shoals | Public | 48 |
| Coastal Alabama Community College | Bay Minette | Public | 47 |
| New Beginning College of Cosmetology | Albertville | Private for-profit | 44 |
| Remington College - Mobile Campus | Mobile | Private not-for-profit | 42 |
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | Public | 37 |
| Central Alabama Community College | Alexander City | Public | 28 |
| The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville | Huntsville | Private for-profit | 27 |
| Brown Beauty Barber School | Bessemer | Private for-profit | 27 |
| Bishop State Community College | Mobile | Public | 24 |
| University Academy of Hair Design | Tuscaloosa | Private for-profit | 24 |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper | Public | 23 |
| George C Wallace State Community College - Selma | Selma | Public | 16 |
| Reid State Technical College | Evergreen | Public | 14 |
| Midfield Institute of Cosmetology | Midfield | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Alabama
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Alabama.
Which Alabama colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Gadsden State Community College (123 graduates a year), Shelton State Community College (102 graduates a year) and Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology (77 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 27 Alabama colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Alabama?+
By graduate earnings, Lurleen B Wallace Community College leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Alabama, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $20,912, College Scorecard. Blue Cliff Career College and George C Wallace Community College - Dothan follow. By degrees awarded, Gadsden State Community College is the largest, with 123 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Lurleen B Wallace Community College tops the list at $20,912. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Alabama?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Alabama is $33,700 (median $29,150), across about 3,300 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program?+
The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?+
The national job outlook is about +5.6% growth with around 75,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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