Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
Empire Beauty School - Warwick, Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island and COLLECTIV Academy - Cranston are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. Empire Beauty School - Warwick leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $18,639, College Scorecard. Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island, Empire Beauty School - Warwick and COLLECTIV Academy - Cranston award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Rhode Island: 154, 86 and 79 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Rhode Island colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 319 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 3 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 | Empire Beauty School - Warwick Providence Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,639 | 86 | 88% | $21,230 | $13,849 |
| 2 | Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island Cranston Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,464 | 154 | 79% | $33,548 | $12,000 |
| 3 | COLLECTIV Academy - Cranston Cranston Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,082 | 79 | 78% | $19,179 | $11,200 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Rhode Island
Top 3 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 | Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island Cranston Private for-profit | 154 | $16,464 |
| 2 | Empire Beauty School - Warwick Providence Private for-profit | 86 | $18,639 |
| 3 | COLLECTIV Academy - Cranston Cranston Private for-profit | 79 | $16,082 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island (154 graduates a year), Empire Beauty School - Warwick (86 graduates a year) and COLLECTIV Academy - Cranston (79 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Rhode Island colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Rhode Island?+
By graduate earnings, Empire Beauty School - Warwick leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $18,639, College Scorecard. Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island and COLLECTIV Academy - Cranston follow. By degrees awarded, Paul Mitchell the School - Rhode Island is the largest, with 154 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Empire Beauty School - Warwick tops the list at $18,639. 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 Rhode Island?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Rhode Island is $35,620 (median $31,200), across about 1,470 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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