Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Aveda Institute - Des Moines, PCI Academy - Ames and Capri College - Cedar Rapids are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. Aveda Institute - Des Moines leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,081, College Scorecard. Aveda Institute - Des Moines, PCI Academy - Ames and La James International College - Davenport award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Iowa: 186, 127 and 126 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Iowa colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 1,276 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 - Des Moines West Des Moines Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,081 | 186 | 88% | $15,384 | $12,000 |
| 2 | PCI Academy - Ames Ames Private for-profit · Certificate | $24,178 | 127 | 77% | $18,518 | $10,570 |
| 3 | Capri College - Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids Private for-profit · Certificate | $23,586 | 96 | 65% | $14,239 | $11,681 |
| 4 | La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology Mason City Private for-profit · Certificate | $23,313 | 38 | 76% | $10,069 | $8,582 |
| 5 | Capri College - Davenport Davenport Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,161 | 99 | 82% | $12,631 | $11,019 |
| 6 | Iowa School of Beauty - Des Moines Des Moines Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,355 | 60 | 81% | $10,335 | $9,130 |
| 7 | Iowa School of Beauty - Sioux City Sioux City Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,000 | 56 | 72% | $10,184 | $16,811 |
| 8 | Capri College - Dubuque Dubuque Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,651 | 119 | 74% | $14,156 | $11,000 |
| 9 | La James International College - Davenport Davenport Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,120 | 126 | 91% | $21,957 | $12,751 |
| 10 | La James International College - Johnston Johnston Private for-profit · Certificate | $17,464 | 122 | 88% | $18,168 | $9,116 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Iowa
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 - Des Moines West Des Moines Private for-profit | 186 | $27,081 |
| 2 | PCI Academy - Ames Ames Private for-profit | 127 | $24,178* |
| 3 | La James International College - Davenport Davenport Private for-profit | 126 | $18,120 |
| 4 | La James International College - Johnston Johnston Private for-profit | 122 | $17,464 |
| 5 | Capri College - Dubuque Dubuque Private for-profit | 119 | $19,651 |
| 6 | Capri College - Davenport Davenport Private for-profit | 99 | $22,161 |
| 7 | Capri College - Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids Private for-profit | 96 | $23,586 |
| 8 | PCI Academy - Iowa City Iowa City Private for-profit | 80 | $24,178* |
| 9 | Iowa School of Beauty - Des Moines Des Moines Private for-profit | 60 | $20,355 |
| 10 | Iowa School of Beauty - Sioux City Sioux City Private for-profit | 56 | $20,000 |
ShowHide the other 9 Iowa colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| La James International College - Cedar Falls | Cedar Falls | Private for-profit | 41 |
| SOHO Hair Academy | Council Bluffs | Private for-profit | 40 |
| La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | Mason City | Private for-profit | 38 |
| The Salon Professional Academy - Cedar Falls | Cedar Falls | Private for-profit | 27 |
| American Hair Academy | Mt. Pleasant | Private for-profit | 20 |
| La James International College - Ft Dodge | Fort Dodge | Private for-profit | 17 |
| Faust Institute of Cosmetology - Spirit Lake | Spirit Lake | Private for-profit | 13 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville | Public | 7 |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge | 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 Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Aveda Institute - Des Moines (186 graduates a year), PCI Academy - Ames (127 graduates a year) and La James International College - Davenport (126 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Iowa colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, Aveda Institute - Des Moines leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,081, College Scorecard. PCI Academy - Ames and Capri College - Cedar Rapids follow. By degrees awarded, Aveda Institute - Des Moines is the largest, with 186 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Aveda Institute - Des Moines tops the list at $27,081. 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 Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Iowa is $40,410 (median $35,700), across about 2,930 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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