Best institutions to study Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing
A program that prepares individuals to prepare and apply permanent markings, color, and cosmetic products to the face and body for aesthetic or clinical purposes; to remove unwanted markings; and to function as licensed permanent makeup artists and tattooists.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 91 Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 12.0411, a specialization of Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (CIP 12.04), and leads most directly to the Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists occupation (BLS SOC 39-5012).
About Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing programs
A program that prepares individuals to prepare and apply permanent markings, color, and cosmetic products to the face and body for aesthetic or clinical purposes; to remove unwanted markings; and to function as licensed permanent makeup artists and tattooists. Includes instruction in client consultation; sterilization and sanitation; skin anatomy, diseases, and disorders; skin preparation and anesthetics; color theory; machine theory and operation; needle selection; applications such as eyebrows, eyeliners, lips, lipliners, beauty marks, and blemish/mark removal; after care; laws and regulations; and business practices.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing program is designed for individuals interested in applying permanent markings and cosmetic products to enhance facial and body aesthetics. This program prepares students to become licensed permanent makeup artists and tattooists, focusing on both aesthetic and clinical applications. It is ideal for those passionate about beauty and personal grooming services.
Students in this program gain essential skills in client consultation, sterilization, skin anatomy, color theory, and machine operation. Coursework includes practical applications such as eyebrow and eyeliner tattooing, lip coloring, and blemish removal, along with business practices and legal regulations.
Credentials awarded
What Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years88 graduates / yr · 1 institution97%
- Award of less than 12 weeks3 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.3%
Graduates over time
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 70 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 90 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 90 |
| 2025 | 91 |
Top 2 institutions for Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing, 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 | Century College San Juan, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 88 | 90% | — | $7,902 |
| 2 | LaSalle Tech Houma, LAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 3 | 88% | $10,899 | $15,617 |
* 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 2 states & territories
Where Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing 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 | 1 | 88 | Century College88 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 3 | LaSalle Tech3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-5012, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing program can pursue careers as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, with a projected job growth rate of 5.6% and approximately 75,800 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $35,250, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 12.0411
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistsprimary SOC 39-5012 | $35,790 | +5.6% Faster than average | ~75,800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance SOC 39-5091 | $97,150 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~1,100 | 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 Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing 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
- 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.
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 - Make-Up Artist/CIP 12.0406
Specialist 374 graduates / yr20 institutions - Electrolysis/CIP 12.0404
Electrology and Electrolysis Technician 314 graduates / yr13 institutions
See all Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials in at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and customer service.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a hairdresser, hairstylist, or permanent makeup artist.
Is there a demand for this profession?+
Yes, the job outlook is faster than average with many annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing?+
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing is CIP 12.0411 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 prepare and apply permanent markings, color, and cosmetic products to the face and body for aesthetic or clinical purposes; to remove unwanted markings; and to function as licensed permanent makeup artists and tattooists. Includes instruction in client consultation; sterilization and sanitation; skin anatomy, diseases, and disorders; skin preparation and anesthetics; color theory; machine theory and operation; needle selection; applications such as eyebrows, eyeliners, lips, lipliners, beauty marks, and blemish/mark removal; after care; laws and regulations; and business practices.
How many institutions offer Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states & territories, awarding 91 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services graduates.
How much do Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists occupation, which Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing most directly leads to, pays a median of $35,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services field report median earnings of $15,617 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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