Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Colorado
Ranked by graduate earnings
Aveda Institute - Denver, Paul Mitchell the School - Denver and Pickens Technical College are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Colorado by graduate earnings. Aveda Institute - Denver leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,636, College Scorecard. Aveda Institute - Denver, IBMC College and Emily Griffith Technical College award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Colorado: 253, 248 and 220 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Colorado colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 2,485 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 | Aveda Institute - Denver Denver Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,636 | 253 | 84% | $22,228 | $12,000 |
| 2 | Paul Mitchell the School - Denver Lakewood Private for-profit · Certificate | $24,952 | 127 | 78% | $12,770 | $11,833 |
| 3 | Pickens Technical College Aurora Public · Certificate | $22,997 | 112 | 76% | — | $9,500 |
| 4 | IBMC College Fort Collins Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,822 | 248 | 86% | $23,751 | $9,832 |
| 5 | Northeastern Junior College Sterling Public · Certificate | $22,488 | 34 | 56% | — | $8,500 |
| 6 | TIGI Hairdressing Academy Legacy Colorado Springs Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,501 | 113 | 60% | $25,699 | $13,516 |
| 7 | The Salon Professional Academy - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,340 | 107 | 66% | $11,079 | $9,500 |
| 8 | Cheeks Beauty Academy Loveland Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,746 | 43 | 72% | $11,166 | $7,850 |
| 9 | Paul Mitchell the School - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,417 | 116 | 85% | $17,199 | $12,822 |
| 10 | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver Public · Certificate | $20,014 | 220 | 97% | — | $9,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Colorado
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 | Aveda Institute - Denver Denver Private for-profit | 253 | $26,636 |
| 2 | IBMC College Fort Collins Private for-profit | 248 | $22,822 |
| 3 | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver Public | 220 | $20,014 |
| 4 | International Salon and Spa Academy Colorado Springs Private for-profit | 171 | $16,847 |
| 5 | Avalon Institute - Aurora Aurora Private for-profit | 138 | $19,903 |
| 6 | Intellitec College - Grand Junction Grand Junction Private for-profit | 135 | $18,804 |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School - Denver Lakewood Private for-profit | 127 | $24,952 |
| 8 | Paul Mitchell the School - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Private for-profit | 116 | $20,417 |
| 9 | Stacey James Institute Parker Private for-profit | 114 | $19,659 |
| 10 | TIGI Hairdressing Academy Legacy Colorado Springs Private for-profit | 113 | $21,501 |
ShowHide the other 16 Colorado colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Public | 115 |
| Pickens Technical College | Aurora | Public | 112 |
| The Salon Professional Academy - Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private for-profit | 107 |
| Technical College of the Rockies | Delta | Public | 101 |
| Trinidad State College | Trinidad | Public | 95 |
| Empire Beauty School - Thornton | Thornton | Private for-profit | 62 |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Public | 49 |
| Cheeks Beauty Academy | Loveland | Private for-profit | 43 |
| Northeastern Junior College | Sterling | Public | 34 |
| Empire Beauty School - Aurora | Aurora | Private for-profit | 27 |
| Tuana European Beauty Academy | Fort Collins | Private for-profit | 27 |
| Lamar Community College | Lamar | Public | 20 |
| Empire Beauty School - Littleton | Littleton | Private for-profit | 20 |
| Otero College | La Junta | Public | 15 |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College | Rangely | Public | 14 |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | Public | 9 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Colorado
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Colorado.
Which Colorado colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Aveda Institute - Denver (253 graduates a year), IBMC College (248 graduates a year) and Emily Griffith Technical College (220 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Colorado colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Colorado?+
By graduate earnings, Aveda Institute - Denver leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Colorado, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,636, College Scorecard. Paul Mitchell the School - Denver and Pickens Technical College follow. By degrees awarded, Aveda Institute - Denver is the largest, with 253 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Aveda Institute - Denver tops the list at $26,636. 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 Colorado?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Colorado is $51,590 (median $37,690), across about 6,820 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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