by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor involves the study of Cosmetology, Barber/styling, And Nail Instructor. A Program That Prepares Cosmetologists, Barbers, Stylists, Nail Technicians, And Other Grooming Specialists To Teach Their Specializations In Licensed And Accredited Schools Of Cosmetology And Barbering, And To Prepare For Licensure As Instructors. Includes Instruction In Cosmetology Arts And Sciences Teaching Principles; Student Learning Styles; Professional Curricula Development; Instructional Planning; Instructional Methods And Aids; Student Counseling And Career Assistance; Test Development; And Classroom/clinic Management. Examples: [Cosmetology Master Instructor]. Read on to learn the key facts every cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor programs.
In the U.S., cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor draws strong interest, with 1,436 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools ranking analyzes these 349 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor programs later in this article.
Coursework for Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 424 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 936 |
People currently working in careers related to cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 59.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 8.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.7% |
| Master’s degree | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 226,641 | -3.6% |
| Barbers | 168,368 | 10.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Barbers | $47,321 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,017 |
With 349 different cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor school rankings to help you.
Those considering cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 55,875 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,442 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,398 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,882 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 514 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 426 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
