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2026 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Far Western Region

6 Colleges in the United States
8,016 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degrees Awarded
$19,245 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 177 schools to find the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

1
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College tops our 2026 ranking of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. About 190 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Golden West College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Golden West College earn around $82,984 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Golden West College

2

A rank of #2 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Lakewood. There were roughly 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Clover Park Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $19,389. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Clover Park Technical College

3

Students looking for a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist program will find one at Spokane Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Spokane Community College awarded about 43 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $17,869. Spokane Community College graduates carry a median of $7,980 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Spokane Community College

4

A rank of #4 makes San Jose City College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. San Jose City College is a large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 102 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at San Jose City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $23,253 in their early career. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for San Jose City College

5
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Bruno. There were roughly 161 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Skyline College

6
Mti College crest
Mti College
Sacramento, CA

Mti College came in at #6 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Mti College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Mti College awarded about 101 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Mti College earn a median of $21,371 early in their careers. Mti College graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Mti College

7
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #7 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 182 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Santa Monica College

8
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo placed #8 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. About 34 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for College Of San Mateo

9
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College landed the #9 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. There were roughly 103 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Sacramento City College earn around $18,184 in the first couple years of their career. Sacramento City College graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Sacramento City College

10
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College came in at #10 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. Citrus College awarded about 206 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Citrus College

11
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College came in at #11 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. There were roughly 110 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $67,048 in their early career. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Butte College

12
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College came in at #12 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Fullerton College awarded about 117 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Fullerton College

13
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College came in at #13 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 41 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Santa Barbara City College

14

Santiago Canyon College came in at #14 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Santiago Canyon College awarded about 33 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $34,100 in their early career. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Santiago Canyon College

15

Riverside City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. About 110 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $13,431 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,736. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Riverside City College

16

Barstow Community College earned the #16 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Barstow Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Barstow. There were roughly 54 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Barstow Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $22,398 in their early career. Barstow Community College graduates carry a median of $5,588 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Barstow Community College

17

Pasadena City College came in at #17 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Pasadena City College

18

Everett Community College earned the #18 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. About 17 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Everett Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Everett Community College earn around $47,441 in the first couple years of their career. Everett Community College graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Everett Community College

19

El Camino Community College District earned the #19 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. El Camino Community College District awarded about 31 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for El Camino Community College District

20
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #20 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 147 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $13,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Cerritos College

21

Honolulu Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Honolulu Community College awarded about 29 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Honolulu Community College earn around $59,006 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Honolulu Community College

22
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #22 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 149 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $11,257. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Saddleback College

23

Los Angeles Trade Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. Los Angeles Trade Technical College awarded about 166 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Los Angeles Trade Technical College

24
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College landed the #24 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Maria. There were roughly 25 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Allan Hancock College

25

Solano Community College placed #25 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. There were roughly 14 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Solano Community College in the most recent data year. Solano Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Solano 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
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
27
28
Laney College crest
Laney College
Oakland, CA
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Cinta Aveda Institute crest
Cinta Aveda Institute
San Francisco, CA
39
40
41
42
43
44
Studio Beauty School crest
Studio Beauty School
Spokane Valley, WA
45
46
Hoss Lee Academy crest
Hoss Lee Academy
Roseville, CA
47
Citrus Heights Beauty College crest
Citrus Heights Beauty College
Citrus Heights, CA
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 177 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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