Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in South Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
The Salon Professional Academy, Stewart School and Lake Area Technical College are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in South Dakota by graduate earnings. The Salon Professional Academy leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,068, College Scorecard. Stewart School, The Salon Professional Academy and Paul Mitchell the School - Rapid City award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in South Dakota: 86, 59 and 40 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 South Dakota colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 221 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 4 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 | The Salon Professional Academy Rapid City Private for-profit · Certificate | $24,068 | 59 | 79% | $17,562 | $12,500 |
| 2 | Stewart School Sioux Falls Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,684 | 86 | 88% | $15,806 | $8,863 |
| 3 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown Public · Certificate | $20,420 | 35 | 73% | — | $12,000 |
| 4 | Paul Mitchell the School - Rapid City Rapid City Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,561 | 40 | 88% | $22,600 | $11,321 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in South Dakota
Top 4 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 | Stewart School Sioux Falls Private for-profit | 86 | $22,684 |
| 2 | The Salon Professional Academy Rapid City Private for-profit | 59 | $24,068 |
| 3 | Paul Mitchell the School - Rapid City Rapid City Private for-profit | 40 | $18,561 |
| 4 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown Public | 35 | $20,420 |
ShowHide the other 1 South Dakota colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| National American University - Rapid City (Online) | Rapid City | Private for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in South Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in South Dakota.
Which South Dakota colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Stewart School (86 graduates a year), The Salon Professional Academy (59 graduates a year) and Paul Mitchell the School - Rapid City (40 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 South Dakota colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in South Dakota?+
By graduate earnings, The Salon Professional Academy leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in South Dakota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,068, College Scorecard. Stewart School and Lake Area Technical College follow. By degrees awarded, Stewart School is the largest, with 86 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The Salon Professional Academy tops the list at $24,068. 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 Dakota?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota is $48,310 (median $49,800), across about 690 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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