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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools

18 Colleges in the United States
24,209 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degrees Awarded
$26,961 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general cosmetology/cosmetologist programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1415 schools to find the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist School

Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools

The school you choose for general cosmetology/cosmetologist can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist rankings. For our Best Overall General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Bachelor's Degrees in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Master's Degrees in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Doctoral Degrees in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

We offer several rankings, including this Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cosmetology/cosmetologist education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

1

No school ranked higher than Chippewa Valley Technical College this year for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 33 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $23,405 in their early career. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,395 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Chippewa Valley Technical College

2

A rank of #2 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 19 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $22,152 early in their careers. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Madison Area Technical College

3

A rank of #3 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. About 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $39,552 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Moraine Park Technical College

4

A rank of #4 makes Palm Beach State College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lake Worth. About 62 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $24,361 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Palm Beach State College

5

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pewaukee. About 40 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $27,049. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Waukesha County Technical College

6

Johnson County Community College came in at #6 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $21,250. Typical student debt for the program is $5,424. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Johnson County Community College

7
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College came in at #7 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Daytona State College awarded about 121 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,807 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Daytona State College

8

Fox Valley Technical College placed #8 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. There were roughly 20 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Fox Valley Technical College earn around $44,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Fox Valley Technical College

9

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #9 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 44 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $18,294 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

10
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College landed the #10 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. About 98 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Lee College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $14,727. Typical student debt for the program is $10,941. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Lee College

11

Trinidad State Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. About 60 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Trinidad State Junior College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Trinidad State Junior College graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Trinidad State Junior College

12

Ogeechee Technical College came in at #12 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Statesboro. Ogeechee Technical College awarded about 78 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $17,660. Typical student debt for the program is $11,894. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Ogeechee Technical College

13

Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #13 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. About 199 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Southern Crescent Technical College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Southern Crescent Technical College

14

Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 34 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $23,198 in the first couple years of their career. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Milwaukee Area Technical College

15
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College placed #15 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 42 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $13,714 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Lake Land College

16

Gateway Technical College placed #16 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 47 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $42,410 in their early career. Gateway Technical College graduates carry a median of $7,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Gateway Technical College

17
Mid State Technical College crest
Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College came in at #17 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. About 24 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Mid State Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Mid State Technical College earn around $17,385 in the first couple years of their career. Mid State Technical College graduates carry a median of $6,081 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Mid State Technical College

18

Pensacola State College earned the #18 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Pensacola. There were roughly 55 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Pensacola State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Pensacola State College earn around $23,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Pensacola State College

19

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #19 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Warner Robins. About 246 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn around $39,765 in the first couple years of their career. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins graduates carry a median of $7,217 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins

20

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #20 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College awarded about 99 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,987 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,250. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College

21

South Georgia Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 15 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from South Georgia Technical College earn around $20,501 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for South Georgia Technical College

22

Wharton County Junior College earned the #22 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wharton. There were roughly 55 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Wharton County Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Wharton County Junior College earn around $19,087 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Wharton County Junior College

23
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. There were roughly 17 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Ridgewater College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $21,574. Typical student debt for the program is $9,750. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Ridgewater College

24

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. There were roughly 16 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $42,087 in their early career. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

25

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Fayetteville Technical Community College

Rest of the Top 50 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education:

26
27
28
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
29
30
31
32
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
33
34
35
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA
36
37
38
39
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
40
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
41
Eastern Wyoming College crest
Eastern Wyoming College
Torrington, WY
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Additional General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Award Winners

These schools also stood out for general cosmetology/cosmetologist:

Rank School Location
#75 Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for general cosmetology/cosmetologist:

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General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist by Region

View the Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Explore other rankings in majors related to General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1415 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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