Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services by graduate earnings are Saint Paul College ($32,987), Florida State College at Jacksonville ($29,668) and The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo ($29,330), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Saint Paul College (Saint Paul, MN): $32,987, 187 graduates a year
- Florida State College at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL): $29,668, 234 graduates a year
- The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo (Fargo, ND): $29,330, 110 graduates a year
- The Hair Academy (Bismarck, ND): $29,327, 34 graduates a year
- The Esthetic Institute (Vienna, VA): $29,301, 119 graduates a year
Compare 1,568 U.S. colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $17,193 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 12.04 and the Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs
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 specializations such as cosmetology, barbering, and makeup artistry. Students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge to excel in this dynamic field.
Learn more about Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services →
Core coursework includes essential skills in customer service, sales, and marketing, alongside practical training in hair cutting, coloring, and styling techniques. Students will also learn about sanitation practices, skin care, and nail technology, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of personal grooming services.
Top 25 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN Public · Certificate | $32,987 | 187 | 40% | — | $14,250 |
| 2 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Public · Certificate | $29,668 | 234 | 37% | — | $13,577 |
| 3 | The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo Fargo, ND Private for-profit · Certificate | $29,330 | 110 | 60% | $14,714 | $12,000 |
| 4 | The Hair Academy Bismarck, ND Private for-profit · Certificate | $29,327 | 34 | 95% | $16,814 | $11,809 |
| 5 | The Esthetic Institute Vienna, VA Private for-profit · Certificate | $29,301 | 119 | 88% | $21,591 | $11,208 |
| 6 | Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Grand Forks Grand Forks, ND Private for-profit · Certificate | $28,331 | 31 | 83% | $14,794 | $12,000 |
| 7 | Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Fargo Fargo, ND Private for-profit · Certificate | $28,331 | 60 | 73% | $14,869 | $12,000 |
| 8 | Summit Salon Academy Kansas City Independence, MO Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,878 | 81 | 61% | $19,431 | $11,981 |
| 9 | Top Nails & Hair Beauty School Taylorsville, UT Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,296 | 169 | 92% | — | — |
| 10 | Summit Salon Academy - Portland Tigard, OR Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,110 | 44 | 72% | $12,163 | $16,500 |
| 11 | Aveda Institute - Des Moines West Des Moines, IA Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,081 | 186 | 88% | $15,384 | $12,000 |
| 12 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WI Public · Certificate | $27,049 | 72 | 44% | — | $9,750 |
| 13 | Gaston College Dallas, NC Public · Certificate | $27,008 | 61 | 63% | — | — |
| 14 | Paul Mitchell the School - Austin Austin, TX Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,824 | 112 | 71% | $21,037 | $10,414 |
| 15 | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,795 | 149 | 67% | $58,427 | $9,500 |
| 16 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OK Public · Certificate | $26,713 | 114 | 81% | — | — |
| 17 | Aveda Institute - Denver Denver, CO Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,636 | 253 | 84% | $22,228 | $12,000 |
| 18 | DuVall's School of Cosmetology Bedford, TX Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,435 | 69 | 57% | $18,190 | $7,917 |
| 19 | International Academy of Style Reno, NV Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,349 | 69 | 93% | $21,427 | $9,391 |
| 20 | Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics Woburn, MA Private for-profit · Certificate | $26,234 | 226 | 96% | $20,490 | $7,667 |
| 21 | Capitol Beauty School Omaha, NE Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,942 | 164 | 87% | $13,410 | $9,166 |
| 22 | The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville Nashville, TN Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,878 | 29 | 97% | $13,347 | $9,833 |
| 23 | Model College of Hair Design Saint Cloud, MN Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,814 | 104 | 61% | $17,740 | $8,778 |
| 24 | Nova Academy of Cosmetology Rochester, MN Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,754 | 272 | 77% | $29,947 | $9,999 |
| 25 | Medspa Academies South Jordan, UT Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,502 | 215 | 92% | $17,302 | $12,394 |
Specializations within Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
13 of the 13 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 12.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Cosmetology/CIP 12.0401
Cosmetologist 56,828 graduates / yr1,353 institutions51 states - Aesthetician/CIP 12.0409
Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist 38,219 graduates / yr741 institutions51 states - Nail Technician/CIP 12.0410
Specialist and Manicurist 14,526 graduates / yr513 institutions47 states - Barbering/CIP 12.0402
Barber 12,249 graduates / yr503 institutions47 states - Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming ArtsCIP 12.04992,592 graduates / yr99 institutions24 states
- Facial Treatment Specialist/CIP 12.0408
Facialist 2,499 graduates / yr75 institutions9 states - Master Aesthetician/CIP 12.0414
Esthetician 2,242 graduates / yr53 institutions18 states - Hair Styling/CIP 12.0407
Stylist and Hair Design 1,479 graduates / yr88 institutions25 states - Cosmetology, Barber/CIP 12.0413
Styling, and Nail Instructor 1,259 graduates / yr319 institutions42 states - Salon/CIP 12.0412
Beauty Salon Management/ Manager 546 graduates / yr17 institutions6 states - Make-Up Artist/CIP 12.0406
Specialist 374 graduates / yr20 institutions10 states - Electrolysis/CIP 12.0404
Electrology and Electrolysis Technician 314 graduates / yr13 institutions5 states - Permanent Cosmetics/CIP 12.0411
Makeup and Tattooing limited data91 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-5012, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as cosmetologists, barbers, or nail technicians, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.6% and approximately 75,800 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $35,250, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 12.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 12.04 (Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9179 | Personal Service Managers, All Other |
| 39-1022 | First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers |
| 39-5011 | Barbers |
| 39-5012 | Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistsprimary |
| 39-5091 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance |
| 39-5092 | Manicurists and Pedicurists |
| 39-5093 | Shampooers |
| 39-5094 | Skincare Specialists |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
Common questions
What are the specializations available in this program?+
Specializations include Cosmetology, Barbering, Electrolysis, Make-Up Artistry, Hair Styling, Facial Treatment, Aesthetics, and Nail Technology.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, customer service, and various practical techniques related to personal grooming.
What is the typical education requirement for careers in this field?+
Most careers in cosmetology require a postsecondary nondegree award.
What is the job outlook for cosmetology professionals?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.6% and around 75,800 annual job openings.
How much do Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates earn?+
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $17,193, College Scorecard (2019); the Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists occupation pays about $43,960 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services?+
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services maps to CIP 12.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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