Best institutions to study Make-Up Artist/Specialist
A program that prepares individuals to professionally apply cosmetic makeup preparations and perform complete and specialized appearance makeovers including hairdressing, wig work, masking, temporary prosthesis applications, cosmetic applications, and related costuming for leisure or for professional stage, camera, clinical, or security purposes.
20 U.S. institutions graduated 374 Make-Up Artist/Specialist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 12.0406, a specialization of Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (CIP 12.04), and leads most directly to the Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance occupation (BLS SOC 39-5091).
About Make-Up Artist/Specialist programs
A program that prepares individuals to professionally apply cosmetic makeup preparations and perform complete and specialized appearance makeovers including hairdressing, wig work, masking, temporary prosthesis applications, cosmetic applications, and related costuming for leisure or for professional stage, camera, clinical, or security purposes. Includes instruction in period and contemporary hairstyling and costuming; wig work and hairpiece application; synthetic hair and masks; cosmetic preparations and treatments; makeup artistry; attachment, removal, and camouflaging of prostheses; health and safety; client consultation and care; pre- and post-production operations; set and crew conduct and relations; script, instruction, and prescription interpretation; labor relations; and business practices.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Make-Up Artist/Specialist program prepares individuals to professionally apply cosmetic makeup and perform specialized appearance makeovers. This program is ideal for those interested in the fields of entertainment, theater, film, and personal grooming services, providing the skills necessary for a successful career in makeup artistry and related areas.
Students will gain knowledge in various aspects of makeup application, including hairstyling, wig work, and cosmetic treatments. Coursework covers health and safety, client consultation, and business practices, equipping graduates with essential skills for the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Make-Up Artist/Specialist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years211 graduates / yr · 9 institutions56%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year97 graduates / yr · 9 institutions26%
- Associate's degree57 graduates / yr · 1 institution15%
- Award of less than 12 weeks9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.4%
Graduates over time
Make-Up Artist/Specialist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,066 |
| 2013 | 1,104 |
| 2014 | 1,307 |
| 2015 | 1,382 |
| 2016 | 1,605 |
| 2017 | 1,565 |
| 2018 | 1,535 |
| 2019 | 1,409 |
| 2020 | 797 |
| 2021 | 566 |
| 2022 | 440 |
| 2023 | 451 |
| 2024 | 426 |
| 2025 | 374 |
Top 20 institutions for Make-Up Artist/Specialist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L Makeup Institute Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 75 | 61% | $28,925 | $17,300 |
| 2 | Douglas Education Center Monessen, PAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 57 | 88% | $27,934 | $19,347 |
| 3 | Century College San Juan, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 47 | 90% | — | $7,902 |
| 4 | Instituto Educativo Premier Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 78% | $12,011 | $10,432 |
| 5 | Boca Beauty Academy Boca Raton, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 90% | $22,132 | $16,730 |
| 6 | La Belle Beauty Academy Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 98% | $20,261 | $12,087 |
| 7 | Clary Sage College Tulsa, OKPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 80% | $23,767 | $16,948 |
| 8 | La Belle Beauty School Hialeah, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 89% | $12,731 | $12,402 |
| 9 | Puerto Rico Advance Institute Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Modern Hairstyling Institute - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 80% | $6,575 | $6,764 |
| 11 | Emma's Beauty Academy - Juana Diaz Juana Diaz, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 64% | $3,686 | $8,607 |
| 12 | Celebrity School of Beauty Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 71% | $6,774 | $13,305 |
| 13 | San Juan College Farmington, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 37% | — | — |
| 14 | Caribbean University - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 43% | $6,392 | — |
| 15 | Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology - Dallas Grand Prairie, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 50% | $23,080 | $23,225 |
| 16 | Tint School of Makeup & Cosmetology Irving, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 67% | $18,438 | $23,225 |
| 17 | Modern Hairstyling Institute - Carolina Carolina, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 79% | $6,419 | $6,454 |
| 18 | Paul Mitchell the School - Schenectady Schenectady, NYPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 5 | 94% | $25,008 | $17,570 |
| 19 | Paul Mitchell the School - North Haven North Haven, CTPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 4 | 92% | $15,191 | $19,288 |
| 20 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 16% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services field (CIP 12.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 10 states & territories
Where Make-Up Artist/Specialist graduates come from. Each state links to all Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 7 | 132 | Century College47 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 75 | L Makeup Institute75 / yr |
| Florida | 4 | 61 | Boca Beauty Academy22 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 57 | Douglas Education Center57 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 15 | Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology - Dallas8 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 15 | Clary Sage College15 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 9 | San Juan College9 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 5 | Paul Mitchell the School - Schenectady5 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 4 | Paul Mitchell the School - North Haven4 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | Mesa Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-5091, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Make-Up Artist/Specialist program can pursue careers as Makeup Artists in theatrical and performance settings, with an outlook that is much faster than average. With approximately 1,100 annual job openings and a median wage of $50,280, this field offers promising opportunities for those with a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 12.0406
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performanceprimary SOC 39-5091 | $97,150 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~1,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists SOC 39-5012 | $35,790 | +5.6% Faster than average | ~75,800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Make-Up Artist/Specialist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
- Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
- Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
- Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
Tools and technology used
Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (CIP 12.04).
- Cosmetology/CIP 12.0401
Cosmetologist 56,828 graduates / yr1,353 institutions - Aesthetician/CIP 12.0409
Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist 38,219 graduates / yr741 institutions - Nail Technician/CIP 12.0410
Specialist and Manicurist 14,526 graduates / yr513 institutions - Barbering/CIP 12.0402
Barber 12,249 graduates / yr503 institutions - Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming ArtsCIP 12.04992,592 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Facial Treatment Specialist/CIP 12.0408
Facialist 2,499 graduates / yr75 institutions - Master Aesthetician/CIP 12.0414
Esthetician 2,242 graduates / yr53 institutions - Hair Styling/CIP 12.0407
Stylist and Hair Design 1,479 graduates / yr88 institutions - Cosmetology, Barber/CIP 12.0413
Styling, and Nail Instructor 1,259 graduates / yr319 institutions - Salon/CIP 12.0412
Beauty Salon Management/ Manager 546 graduates / yr17 institutions - Electrolysis/CIP 12.0404
Electrology and Electrolysis Technician 314 graduates / yr13 institutions - Permanent Cosmetics/CIP 12.0411
Makeup and Tattooing limited data91 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials ranging from less than 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in makeup application, client consultation, and health and safety practices.
What career opportunities are available?+
You can work as a Makeup Artist or pursue roles in hairstyling and cosmetology.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows an 8.1% growth rate with approximately 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Make-Up Artist/Specialist?+
Make-Up Artist/Specialist is CIP 12.0406 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (CIP 12.04). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to professionally apply cosmetic makeup preparations and perform complete and specialized appearance makeovers including hairdressing, wig work, masking, temporary prosthesis applications, cosmetic applications, and related costuming for leisure or for professional stage, camera, clinical, or security purposes. Includes instruction in period and contemporary hairstyling and costuming; wig work and hairpiece application; synthetic hair and masks; cosmetic preparations and treatments; makeup artistry; attachment, removal, and camouflaging of prostheses; health and safety; client consultation and care; pre- and post-production operations; set and crew conduct and relations; script, instruction, and prescription interpretation; labor relations; and business practices.
How many institutions offer Make-Up Artist/Specialist programs?+
20 U.S. institutions reported Make-Up Artist/Specialist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states & territories, awarding 374 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.
How much do Make-Up Artist/Specialist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance occupation, which Make-Up Artist/Specialist most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,150 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services field report median earnings of $16,730 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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