Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
Northern Michigan University, Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design - Hair Lab Detroit Barber School and Paul Mitchell the School - Great Lakes are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Michigan by graduate earnings. Northern Michigan University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,628, College Scorecard. Douglas J Aveda Institute, L'esprit Academy and Michigan College of Beauty - Troy award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Michigan: 635, 242 and 179 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 43 Michigan colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 2,821 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 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public · Certificate | $21,628 | 37 | 52% | — | $9,833 |
| 2 | Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design - Hair Lab Detroit Barber School Southgate Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,460 | 25 | 79% | $14,962 | $10,556 |
| 3 | Paul Mitchell the School - Great Lakes Port Huron Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,580 | 42 | 60% | $10,263 | $9,833 |
| 4 | Paul Mitchell the School - Grand Rapids Kentwood Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,410 | 43 | 84% | $14,465 | $9,833 |
| 5 | Douglas J Aveda Institute East Lansing Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,082 | 635 | 83% | $26,406 | $9,833 |
| 6 | Twin City Beauty College Saint Joseph Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,009 | 106 | 48% | $22,720 | $9,500 |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School - Farmington Hills Farmington Hills Private for-profit · Certificate | $17,067 | 50 | 79% | $23,705 | $9,833 |
| 8 | L'esprit Academy Canton Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,706 | 242 | 88% | $28,222 | $9,833 |
| 9 | Michigan College of Beauty - Troy Troy Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,695 | 179 | 68% | $18,234 | $9,639 |
| 10 | Paul Mitchell the School - Michigan Sterling Heights Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,464 | 54 | 80% | $18,046 | $12,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Michigan
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 | Douglas J Aveda Institute East Lansing Private for-profit | 635 | $18,082 |
| 2 | L'esprit Academy Canton Private for-profit | 242 | $16,706 |
| 3 | Michigan College of Beauty - Troy Troy Private for-profit | 179 | $16,695 |
| 4 | Elevate Salon Institute Royal Oak Private for-profit | 153 | $14,296 |
| 5 | David Pressley School of Cosmetology Royal Oak Private for-profit | 139 | $13,360 |
| 6 | Dorsey School of Beauty Taylor Private for-profit | 124 | $8,615 |
| 7 | Empire Beauty School - Michigan Grand Rapids Private for-profit | 123 | $16,062 |
| 8 | Twin City Beauty College Saint Joseph Private for-profit | 106 | $18,009 |
| 9 | The Salon Professional Academy of Holland Holland Private for-profit | 79 | Not reported |
| 10 | Dorsey College Madison Heights Private for-profit | 70 | $10,878 |
ShowHide the other 33 Michigan 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 Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Douglas J Aveda Institute (635 graduates a year), L'esprit Academy (242 graduates a year) and Michigan College of Beauty - Troy (179 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 43 Michigan colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Michigan?+
By graduate earnings, Northern Michigan University leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Michigan, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,628, College Scorecard. Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design - Hair Lab Detroit Barber School and Paul Mitchell the School - Great Lakes follow. By degrees awarded, Douglas J Aveda Institute is the largest, with 635 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Northern Michigan University tops the list at $21,628. 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 Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Michigan is $47,290 (median $34,820), across about 8,970 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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