Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in South Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southeastern Esthetics Institute, Paul Mitchell the School - Charleston and Academy of Hair Technology are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in South Carolina by graduate earnings. Southeastern Esthetics Institute leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,547, College Scorecard. Southeastern Esthetics Institute, Paul Mitchell the School - Charleston and Paul Mitchell the School - Columbia award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in South Carolina: 391, 219 and 162 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 28 South Carolina colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 2,114 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 9 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 | Southeastern Esthetics Institute Elgin Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,547 | 391 | 90% | $17,716 | $7,029 |
| 2 | Paul Mitchell the School - Charleston North Charleston Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,583 | 219 | 75% | $14,149 | $13,833 |
| 3 | Academy of Hair Technology Greenville Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,459 | 49 | 100% | — | $7,833 |
| 4 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Goose Creek Goose Creek Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,956 | 127 | 84% | $16,748 | $11,069 |
| 5 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Rock Hill Rock Hill Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,693 | 157 | 71% | $14,712 | $10,429 |
| 6 | Charleston Cosmetology Institute Charleston Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,084 | 54 | 55% | $15,814 | $12,052 |
| 7 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Florence Florence Private for-profit · Certificate | $16,226 | 112 | 80% | $22,067 | $12,274 |
| 8 | Greenville Technical College Greenville Public · Certificate | $15,778 | 23 | 21% | — | — |
| 9 | LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc Camden Private for-profit · Certificate Small program | $12,478 | 19 | 87% | $12,971 | $9,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in South Carolina
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 | Southeastern Esthetics Institute Elgin Private for-profit | 391 | $21,547 |
| 2 | Paul Mitchell the School - Charleston North Charleston Private for-profit | 219 | $19,583* |
| 3 | Paul Mitchell the School - Columbia West Columbia Private for-profit | 162 | $19,583* |
| 4 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Rock Hill Rock Hill Private for-profit | 157 | $18,693* |
| 5 | Paul Mitchell the School - Greenville Greenville Private for-profit | 139 | $19,583* |
| 6 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Goose Creek Goose Creek Private for-profit | 127 | $18,956* |
| 7 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Greenville Greenville Private for-profit | 121 | $18,693* |
| 8 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Florence Florence Private for-profit | 112 | $16,226 |
| 9 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway Public | 85 | Not reported |
| 10 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology - Spartanburg Spartanburg Private for-profit | 85 | $18,956* |
ShowHide the other 18 South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in South Carolina.
Which South Carolina colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Southeastern Esthetics Institute (391 graduates a year), Paul Mitchell the School - Charleston (219 graduates a year) and Paul Mitchell the School - Columbia (162 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 28 South Carolina colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in South Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Southeastern Esthetics Institute leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in South Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,547, College Scorecard. Paul Mitchell the School - Charleston and Academy of Hair Technology follow. By degrees awarded, Southeastern Esthetics Institute is the largest, with 391 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in South Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Southeastern Esthetics Institute tops the list at $21,547. 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 South Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Carolina is $42,580 (median $33,700), across about 3,570 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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