Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Arizona
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Penrose Academy and Aveda Institute - Phoenix are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Arizona by graduate earnings. Southwest Institute of Healing Arts leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,795, College Scorecard. Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona, LLC, Penrose Academy and Avalon Institute - Mesa award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Arizona: 494, 388 and 227 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Arizona colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 3,310 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 | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Tempe Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,795 | 149 | 67% | $58,427 | $9,500 |
| 2 | Penrose Academy Scottsdale Private for-profit · Certificate | $23,700 | 388 | 90% | $24,186 | $8,043 |
| 3 | Aveda Institute - Phoenix Tempe Private for-profit · Certificate | $23,086 | 206 | 68% | $24,098 | $10,555 |
| 4 | International Barber College Chandler Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,925 | 30 | 43% | $18,836 | $16,500 |
| 5 | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona, LLC Chandler Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,434 | 494 | 77% | $20,967 | $6,333 |
| 6 | Avalon Institute - Mesa Mesa Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,496 | 227 | 84% | $17,293 | $8,081 |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School - Phoenix Phoenix Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,139 | 124 | 53% | $19,023 | $17,667 |
| 8 | Pure Aesthetics Natural Skincare School Tucson Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,125 | 51 | 91% | $25,480 | $6,333 |
| 9 | Empire Beauty School - Avondale Avondale Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,639 | 122 | 53% | $16,776 | $13,849 |
| 10 | East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa Public · Certificate | $18,159 | 58 | 68% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Arizona
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 | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona, LLC Chandler Private for-profit | 494 | $22,434 |
| 2 | Penrose Academy Scottsdale Private for-profit | 388 | $23,700 |
| 3 | Avalon Institute - Mesa Mesa Private for-profit | 227 | $21,496* |
| 4 | Aveda Institute - Phoenix Tempe Private for-profit | 206 | $23,086* |
| 5 | Avalon Institute - Phoenix Phoenix Private for-profit | 184 | $21,496* |
| 6 | GateWay Community College - Central City Phoenix Public | 174 | Not reported |
| 7 | Aveda Institute - Tucson Tucson Private for-profit | 165 | $23,086* |
| 8 | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Tempe Private for-profit | 149 | $26,795 |
| 9 | Aveda Institute Tucson-Avondale Avondale Private for-profit | 131 | Not reported |
| 10 | Empire Beauty School - Tucson Tucson Private for-profit | 129 | $16,429 |
ShowHide the other 16 Arizona colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson College of Beauty | Tucson | Private for-profit | 124 |
| Paul Mitchell the School - Phoenix | Phoenix | Private for-profit | 124 |
| Empire Beauty School - Avondale | Avondale | Private for-profit | 122 |
| Northland Pioneer College | Holbrook | Public | 119 |
| Turning Point Beauty College | Chandler | Private for-profit | 105 |
| Xtylo Beauty And Barber College | Tolleson | Private for-profit | 75 |
| Eastern Arizona College | Thatcher | Public | 61 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa | Public | 58 |
| Pure Aesthetics Natural Skincare School | Tucson | Private for-profit | 51 |
| Empire Beauty School - Chandler | Chandler | Private for-profit | 47 |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa | Public | 46 |
| Xtylo Beauty and Barber College | Phoenix | Private for-profit | 44 |
| Charles of Italy Beauty College | Lake Havasu City | Private for-profit | 42 |
| International Barber College | Chandler | Private for-profit | 30 |
| Glitz School of Cosmetology - Casa Grande Campus | Casa Grande | Private for-profit | 13 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Arizona
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Arizona.
Which Arizona colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona, LLC (494 graduates a year), Penrose Academy (388 graduates a year) and Avalon Institute - Mesa (227 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Arizona, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Arizona colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Arizona?+
By graduate earnings, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Arizona, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,795, College Scorecard. Penrose Academy and Aveda Institute - Phoenix follow. By degrees awarded, Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona, LLC is the largest, with 494 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Arizona has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts tops the list at $26,795. 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 Arizona?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Arizona is $43,000 (median $36,810), across about 7,840 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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