Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Wisconsin
Ranked by graduate earnings
Waukesha County Technical College, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness and The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Wisconsin by graduate earnings. Waukesha County Technical College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,049, College Scorecard. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness, Gateway Technical College and The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Madison award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Wisconsin: 161, 128 and 95 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 29 Wisconsin colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 1,778 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 10 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 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee Public · Certificate | $27,049 | 72 | 44% | — | $9,750 |
| 2 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Milwaukee Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,029 | 161 | 90% | $15,441 | $10,555 |
| 3 | The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska Onalaska Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,017 | 42 | 93% | $16,876 | $12,000 |
| 4 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire Public · Certificate | $23,405 | 64 | 50% | — | $9,395 |
| 5 | First Class Cosmetology School Beloit Private for-profit · Certificate | $23,235 | 62 | 86% | $17,335 | $8,790 |
| 6 | VICI Beauty School Greenfield Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,773 | 90 | 88% | $13,775 | $9,290 |
| 7 | The Salon Professional Academy - Kenosha Kenosha Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,678 | 43 | 70% | $27,093 | $13,810 |
| 8 | The Professional Hair Design Academy Eau Claire Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,659 | 26 | 76% | $21,059 | $12,000 |
| 9 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Janesville Janesville Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,302 | 67 | — | $14,017 | $13,478 |
| 10 | Academy of Beauty Professionals Green Bay Private for-profit · Certificate | $18,729 | 65 | 56% | — | $9,962 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Wisconsin
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 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Milwaukee Private for-profit | 161 | $25,029* |
| 2 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha Public | 128 | Not reported |
| 3 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Madison Madison Private for-profit | 95 | $25,029* |
| 4 | VICI Beauty School Greenfield Private for-profit | 90 | $21,773 |
| 5 | Empire Beauty School - Milwaukee Milwaukee Private for-profit | 75 | $18,639* |
| 6 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee Public | 72 | $27,049 |
| 7 | Empire Beauty School - Green Bay Ashwaubenon Private for-profit | 69 | $18,639* |
| 8 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Janesville Janesville Private for-profit | 67 | $20,302 |
| 9 | Academy of Beauty Professionals Green Bay Private for-profit | 65 | $18,729 |
| 10 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire Public | 64 | $23,405 |
ShowHide the other 19 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Wisconsin.
Which Wisconsin colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness (161 graduates a year), Gateway Technical College (128 graduates a year) and The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Madison (95 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 29 Wisconsin colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Wisconsin?+
By graduate earnings, Waukesha County Technical College leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Wisconsin, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,049, College Scorecard. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness and The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska follow. By degrees awarded, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is the largest, with 161 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Waukesha County Technical College tops the list at $27,049. 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 Wisconsin?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Wisconsin is $39,190 (median $36,230), across about 6,260 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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