Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Arkansas
Ranked by graduate earnings
Academy of Salon and Spa, The Salon Professional Academy and Designer Barber & Stylist School are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Arkansas by graduate earnings. Academy of Salon and Spa leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $19,443, College Scorecard. Paul Mitchell the School - Little Rock, Career Academy of Hair Design and Academy of Professional Cosmetology award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Arkansas: 201, 165 and 104 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 31 Arkansas colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 1,249 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 | Academy of Salon and Spa Fort Smith Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,443 | 37 | 80% | $15,542 | $7,900 |
| 2 | The Salon Professional Academy Sherwood Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,091 | 90 | 90% | $12,628 | $9,833 |
| 3 | Designer Barber & Stylist School Fort Smith Private for-profit · Certificate | $17,460 | 48 | 68% | $16,510 | $16,500 |
| 4 | Arkansas Technical School North Little Rock Private for-profit · Certificate | $17,388 | 25 | 58% | $35,353 | $16,500 |
| 5 | Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,574 | 165 | 73% | $14,881 | $9,855 |
| 6 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport Public · Certificate | $15,140 | 45 | 46% | — | $7,250 |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School - Little Rock North Little Rock Private for-profit · Certificate | $14,898 | 201 | 71% | $14,508 | $15,471 |
| 8 | Arthur's Beauty College Conway Private for-profit · Certificate | $14,388 | 39 | 39% | $16,036 | $9,833 |
| 9 | Arthur's Beauty College Jonesboro Private for-profit · Certificate | $14,085 | 25 | 52% | $12,905 | $12,841 |
| 10 | Paul Mitchell the School - Arkansas Fayetteville Private for-profit · Certificate | $14,040 | 57 | 68% | $16,185 | $12,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Arkansas
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 | Paul Mitchell the School - Little Rock North Little Rock Private for-profit | 201 | $14,898 |
| 2 | Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale Private for-profit | 165 | $16,574 |
| 3 | Academy of Professional Cosmetology Rogers Private for-profit | 104 | $11,572 |
| 4 | The Salon Professional Academy Sherwood Private for-profit | 90 | $18,091 |
| 5 | Paul Mitchell the School - Arkansas Fayetteville Private for-profit | 57 | $14,040 |
| 6 | Designer Barber & Stylist School Fort Smith Private for-profit | 48 | $17,460 |
| 7 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport Public | 45 | $15,140 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain Mena Public | 43 | $9,998 |
| 9 | Hot Springs Beauty College Hot Springs Private for-profit | 40 | Not reported |
| 10 | Arthur's Beauty College Conway Private for-profit | 39 | $14,388 |
ShowHide the other 21 Arkansas colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Arkansas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Arkansas.
Which Arkansas colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Paul Mitchell the School - Little Rock (201 graduates a year), Career Academy of Hair Design (165 graduates a year) and Academy of Professional Cosmetology (104 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Arkansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 31 Arkansas colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Arkansas?+
By graduate earnings, Academy of Salon and Spa leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Arkansas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $19,443, College Scorecard. The Salon Professional Academy and Designer Barber & Stylist School follow. By degrees awarded, Paul Mitchell the School - Little Rock is the largest, with 201 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Arkansas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Academy of Salon and Spa tops the list at $19,443. 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 Arkansas?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Arkansas is $33,100 (median $28,830), across about 1,410 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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