Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Metro Beauty Academy, Penn Commercial Business/Technical School and South Hills Beauty Academy are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Metro Beauty Academy leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,226, College Scorecard. The Beauty Institute - Ambler, Metro Beauty Academy and Jean Madeline Aveda Institute award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 237, 237 and 193 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 65 Pennsylvania colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 4,002 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 | Metro Beauty Academy Allentown Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,226 | 237 | 96% | $20,001 | $13,381 |
| 2 | Penn Commercial Business/Technical School Washington Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,871 | 96 | 84% | $18,412 | $11,318 |
| 3 | South Hills Beauty Academy Pittsburgh Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,852 | 163 | 94% | $6,075 | $7,662 |
| 4 | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork Lancaster Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,624 | 148 | 70% | $13,071 | $7,208 |
| 5 | Douglas Education Center Monessen Private for-profit · Associate degree | $19,347 | 122 | 88% | $27,934 | $12,000 |
| 6 | The Salon Professional Academy - Altoona Altoona Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,048 | 76 | 91% | $21,213 | $9,936 |
| 7 | Empire Beauty School - Pottsville Pottsville Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,639 | 33 | 60% | $18,573 | $13,849 |
| 8 | Premier Barber Institute Norristown Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,424 | 46 | 70% | $21,154 | $13,583 |
| 9 | Altoona Beauty School Inc Altoona Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,188 | 88 | 92% | $28,134 | $7,544 |
| 10 | Barber School of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Private for-profit · Certificate | $17,890 | 53 | 65% | $21,614 | $13,583 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Pennsylvania
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 | The Beauty Institute - Ambler Ambler Private for-profit | 237 | $15,977 |
| 2 | Metro Beauty Academy Allentown Private for-profit | 237 | $21,226 |
| 3 | Jean Madeline Aveda Institute Philadelphia Private for-profit | 193 | $14,081 |
| 4 | The Beauty Institute Whitehall Private for-profit | 164 | $15,063 |
| 5 | South Hills Beauty Academy Pittsburgh Private for-profit | 163 | $20,852 |
| 6 | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork Lancaster Private for-profit | 148 | $19,624 |
| 7 | Bella Capelli Academy Monroeville Private for-profit | 127 | $16,192 |
| 8 | Douglas Education Center Monessen Private for-profit | 122 | $19,347 |
| 9 | American Barber and Beauty Academy Reading Private for-profit | 120 | $12,155 |
| 10 | Empire Beauty School - Springfield Springfield Private for-profit | 111 | $16,429 |
ShowHide the other 55 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
The Beauty Institute - Ambler (237 graduates a year), Metro Beauty Academy (237 graduates a year) and Jean Madeline Aveda Institute (193 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 65 Pennsylvania colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Metro Beauty Academy leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,226, College Scorecard. Penn Commercial Business/Technical School and South Hills Beauty Academy follow. By degrees awarded, The Beauty Institute - Ambler is the largest, with 237 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Metro Beauty Academy tops the list at $21,226. 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 Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Pennsylvania is $43,000 (median $36,790), across about 19,350 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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