Virginia · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Best Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services institutions in Virginia, ranked by earnings

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…

Institutions
25
offering CIP 12.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,567
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$20,761
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
18
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,212
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
67%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$49,690
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1The Esthetic Institute
Vienna Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$29,30114688%$21,591$11,208
2Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics
Ashland Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$27,49038100%$10,209$6,944
3The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics
Virginia Beach Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$23,97424781%$20,501$7,333
4Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy
Reston Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$22,7634993%$10,807$8,517
5Culpeper Cosmetology Training Center
Culpeper Public · Certificate degree
$21,9372688%$13,666
6Paul Mitchell the School - Roanoke
Roanoke Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,7614259%$18,445$13,833
7Rudy & Kelly Academy, A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Virginia Beach Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,02810573%$19,704$16,184
8Eastern Virginia Career College
Fredericksburg Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,6123866%$39,005$7,917
9Staunton School of Cosmetology
Staunton Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,5811171%$13,592
10Paul Mitchell the School - Tysons Corner
McLean Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,2346265%$27,337$13,433

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.6%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~75,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$35,250
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionMonitoring

What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
9,480
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$49,690
median $37,850
Best-paying metro
$55,120
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

Related careers

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$49,690 avg · 9,480 jobs
Manicurists and Pedicurists
$40,860 avg · 4,270 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
$50,400 avg · 3,280 jobs
Skincare Specialists
$41,510 avg · 1,390 jobs
Shampooers
$27,920 avg · 790 jobs
Personal Service Managers, All Other
$67,500 avg · 110 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Virginia.

Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), The Esthetic Institute tops the list at $29,301. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Virginia is $49,690 (median $37,850), across about 9,480 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in other statesNorth DakotaWyomingMinnesotaVermontNew HampshireNebraskaSouth DakotaWashington

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