Maryland · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Maryland

Ranked by graduate earnings

The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School, Cortiva Institute and Montgomery Beauty School are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Maryland by graduate earnings. The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $20,844, College Scorecard. Cortiva Institute, The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School and Hair Academy award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Maryland: 154, 140 and 102 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Maryland colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 1,161 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…

Institutions
18
offering CIP 12.04
States offered
51
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,161
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$16,819
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
13
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,013
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$45,350
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Annapolis Private for-profit · Certificate
$20,84414085%$30,283$12,583
2Cortiva Institute
Linthicum Private for-profit · Certificate
$20,75415470%$29,721$7,917
3Montgomery Beauty School
Silver Spring Private for-profit · Certificate
$18,6236150%$21,307$12,937
4Hair Academy
New Carrollton Private for-profit · Certificate
$16,81910261%$20,474$13,000
5Empire Beauty School - Glen Burnie
Glen Burnie Private for-profit · Certificate
$16,4294336%$18,646$13,583
6Aveda Institute - Maryland
Bel Air Private for-profit · Certificate
$16,3948497%$12,909$9,833
7Award Beauty School
Hagerstown Private for-profit · Certificate
$14,7714065%$21,265$11,015
8Maryland Beauty Academy of Essex
Baltimore Private for-profit · Certificate
$13,0023375%$18,104$11,500
9Hair Academy II
Hillcrest Heights Private for-profit · Certificate
$12,9489455%$23,075—
10Aspen Beauty Academy of Laurel
Laurel Private for-profit · Certificate
$11,0384047%$10,624$16,500

Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Maryland

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. * Campuses that share a federal aid ID report one College Scorecard figure.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Cortiva Institute
Linthicum Private for-profit
154$20,754
2The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Annapolis Private for-profit
140$20,844*
3Hair Academy
New Carrollton Private for-profit
102$16,819
4Hair Academy II
Hillcrest Heights Private for-profit
94$12,948
5Aveda Institute - Maryland
Bel Air Private for-profit
84$16,394
6The Temple-A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Frederick Private for-profit
82$20,844*
7Paul Mitchell the School - Jessup
Jessup Private for-profit
74Not reported
8Montgomery Beauty School - Baltimore Beauty & Barber School
Baltimore Private for-profit
71Not reported
9Baltimore Beauty & Barber School II
Timonium Private for-profit
62Not reported
10Montgomery Beauty School
Silver Spring Private for-profit
61$18,623
Show the other 8 Maryland colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Empire Beauty School - Glen BurnieGlen BurniePrivate for-profit43
Award Beauty SchoolHagerstownPrivate for-profit40
Aspen Beauty Academy of LaurelLaurelPrivate for-profit40
Empire Beauty School - Owings MillsOwings MillsPrivate for-profit39
Maryland Beauty Academy of EssexBaltimorePrivate for-profit33
Baltimore Studio of Hair DesignBaltimorePrivate for-profit22
Del-Mar-Va Beauty AcademySalisburyPrivate for-profit15
Fortis Institute - TowsonTowsonPrivate for-profit5

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.6%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~75,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$35,250
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionMonitoring

What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Maryland

Jobs in Maryland
5,860
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$45,350
median $36,420
Best-paying metro
$46,750
Salisbury, MD

Related careers

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$45,350 avg · 5,860 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
$56,250 avg · 4,010 jobs
Manicurists and Pedicurists
$40,890 avg · 2,080 jobs
Skincare Specialists
$53,490 avg · 1,130 jobs
Personal Service Managers, All Other
$83,640 avg · 510 jobs
Shampooers
$34,740 avg · 500 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Maryland.

Which Maryland colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+

Cortiva Institute (154 graduates a year), The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School (140 graduates a year) and Hair Academy (102 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Maryland, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Maryland colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.

What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Maryland?+

By graduate earnings, The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Maryland, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $20,844, College Scorecard. Cortiva Institute and Montgomery Beauty School follow. By degrees awarded, Cortiva Institute is the largest, with 154 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Maryland has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The Temple Annapolis-A Paul Mitchell Partner School tops the list at $20,844. 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 Maryland?+

The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Maryland is $45,350 (median $36,420), across about 5,860 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).

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in other statesNorth DakotaWyomingMinnesotaVermontNew HampshireNebraskaSouth DakotaWashington

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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