North Carolina · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Best Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services institutions in North Carolina, ranked by earnings

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
69
offering CIP 12.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
3,336
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$21,443
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
30
College Scorecard
Median net price
$15,642
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
45%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$42,010
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Gaston College
Dallas Public · Certificate degree
$27,0084463%
2Central Carolina Community College
Sanford Public · Certificate degree
$24,1019043%$12,167
3Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh Public · Certificate degree
$23,2864933%$7,693
4Rowan - Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury Public · Certificate degree
$22,57813735%$16,500
5Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$21,82615282%$18,712$11,583
6Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design
Greenville Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$21,4433564%$14,976$12,107
7Paul Mitchell the School - Charlotte
Charlotte Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,8779656%$15,034$16,500
8Health And Style Institute
Greensboro Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,19038751%$37,514$12,998
9College of Wilmington
Wilmington Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,9628315%$14,063$16,500
10Davidson - Davie Community College
Thomasville Public · Certificate degree
$19,0245646%

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 North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
8,720
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$42,010
median $36,140
Best-paying metro
$51,080
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Related careers

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$42,010 avg · 8,720 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
$46,490 avg · 2,790 jobs
Skincare Specialists
$51,710 avg · 2,170 jobs
Manicurists and Pedicurists
$40,930 avg · 1,880 jobs
Barbers
$73,230 avg · 250 jobs
Personal Service Managers, All Other
$74,090

Common questions

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

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Gaston College tops the list at $27,008. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in North Carolina is $42,010 (median $36,140), across about 8,720 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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

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