Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Gaston College, Central Carolina Community College and Wake Technical Community College are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. Gaston College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,008, College Scorecard. Cape Fear Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 221, 201 and 164 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 70 North Carolina colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 3,021 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 | Gaston College Dallas Public · Certificate | $27,008 | 61 | 63% | — | — |
| 2 | Central Carolina Community College Sanford Public · Certificate | $24,101 | 100 | 43% | — | $12,167 |
| 3 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh Public · Certificate | $23,286 | 39 | 33% | — | $7,693 |
| 4 | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury Public · Certificate | $22,578 | 201 | 35% | — | $16,500 |
| 5 | Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,826 | 164 | 82% | $18,712 | $11,583 |
| 6 | Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design Greenville Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,443 | 27 | 64% | $14,976 | $12,107 |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School - Charlotte Charlotte Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,877 | 144 | 56% | $15,034 | $16,500 |
| 8 | Paul Mitchell the School - Fayetteville Fayetteville Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,583 | 66 | 66% | $15,642 | $13,833 |
| 9 | Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville Public · Certificate | $19,024 | 71 | 46% | — | — |
| 10 | Empire Beauty School - Concord Concord Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,408 | 50 | 65% | $17,621 | $15,765 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in North Carolina
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 | Cape Fear Community College Wilmington Public | 221 | Not reported |
| 2 | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury Public | 201 | $22,578 |
| 3 | Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Private for-profit | 164 | $21,826 |
| 4 | Paul Mitchell the School - Charlotte Charlotte Private for-profit | 144 | $20,877 |
| 5 | Leons Beauty School Inc Greensboro Private for-profit | 103 | $17,247 |
| 6 | Central Carolina Community College Sanford Public | 100 | $24,101 |
| 7 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte Public | 77 | Not reported |
| 8 | Randolph Community College Asheboro Public | 77 | Not reported |
| 9 | Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville Public | 71 | $19,024 |
| 10 | Alamance Community College Graham Public | 71 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 60 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Cape Fear Community College (221 graduates a year), Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (201 graduates a year) and Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill (164 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 70 North Carolina colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Gaston College leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,008, College Scorecard. Central Carolina Community College and Wake Technical Community College follow. By degrees awarded, Cape Fear Community College is the largest, with 221 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Gaston College tops the list at $27,008. 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 North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in North Carolina is $43,670 (median $38,410), across about 8,490 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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