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2026 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the The Plains States Region

1 Colleges in the United States
3,150 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degrees Awarded
$23,967 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cosmetology/cosmetologist education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

1

No school ranked higher than Johnson County Community College this year for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. 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. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $21,250 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Johnson County Community College

2

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 99 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,987. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College

3
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. Ridgewater College awarded about 17 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Ridgewater College earn around $21,574 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,750. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Ridgewater College

4

Minnesota State Community And Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, ranking #4. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Minnesota State Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $24,367 in their early career. Minnesota State Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Minnesota State Community And Technical College

5

A rank of #5 makes Garden City Community College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Garden City Community College awarded about 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $18,724. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Garden City Community College

6

Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Minnesota West Community And Technical College awarded about 14 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $17,767 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Minnesota West Community And Technical College

7
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College placed #7 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. There were roughly 49 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $47,502 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,332. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Century College

8

Hutchinson Community College came in at #8 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 51 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Hutchinson Community College earn around $17,437 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Hutchinson Community College

9

Washburn Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. About 34 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Washburn Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $22,547 in their early career. Washburn Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Washburn Institute Of Technology

10

Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #10 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Watertown. Lake Area Technical Institute awarded about 35 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $20,420 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Lake Area Technical Institute

11

Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #11 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. Kansas City Kansas Community College awarded about 30 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College earn around $21,091 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,235 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Kansas City Kansas Community College

12

Riverland Community College earned the #12 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Riverland Community College awarded about 33 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Riverland Community College graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Riverland Community College

13

Northwest Kansas Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. Northwest Kansas Technical College awarded about 19 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $41,638 in their early career. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Northwest Kansas Technical College

14

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #14 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School awarded about 23 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn around $53,375 in the first couple years of their career. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Seward County Community College And Area Technical School

15

Fort Scott Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. There were roughly 32 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Fort Scott Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $20,691. Fort Scott Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Fort Scott Community College

16

Minnesota State College Southeast Technical ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. About 12 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Minnesota State College Southeast Technical in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Minnesota State College Southeast Technical generally make around $50,290. Students borrow a median of $22,522 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Minnesota State College Southeast Technical

17

Dodge City Community College came in at #17 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 20 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Dodge City Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Dodge City Community College

18

Cowley County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. About 15 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Cowley County Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Cowley County Community College

19

Aveda Institute Minneapolis landed the #19 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 179 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Aveda Institute Minneapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Aveda Institute Minneapolis earn around $24,230 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,941 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Aveda Institute Minneapolis

20
Stewart School crest
Stewart School
Sioux Falls, SD

Stewart School placed #20 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Stewart School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 63 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Stewart School in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Stewart School earn a median of $22,684 early in their careers. Stewart School graduates carry a median of $8,863 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Stewart School

21

Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics awarded about 96 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics earn around $25,942 in the first couple years of their career. Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics graduates carry a median of $9,166 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics

22

The Salon Professional Academy Fargo earned the #22 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Fargo, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 42 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at The Salon Professional Academy Fargo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from The Salon Professional Academy Fargo earn around $29,330 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for The Salon Professional Academy Fargo

23

Nova Academy Of Cosmetology earned the #23 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Nova Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 90 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Nova Academy Of Cosmetology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $25,754 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,999 to complete this degree. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Nova Academy Of Cosmetology

24
Aveda Institute Des Moines crest
Aveda Institute Des Moines
West Des Moines, IA

Aveda Institute Des Moines placed #24 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of West Des Moines, Aveda Institute Des Moines is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 70 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Aveda Institute Des Moines in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $27,081 in their early career. Aveda Institute Des Moines graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Aveda Institute Des Moines

25

Model College Of Hair Design ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Model College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit institution. About 55 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Model College Of Hair Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $25,814 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,778 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Model College Of Hair Design

Rest of the Top 50 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Pci Academy Plymouth crest
Pci Academy Plymouth
Plymouth, MN
32
Pci Academy Iowa City crest
Pci Academy Iowa City
Iowa City, IA
33
34
35
36
37
38
Capri College Cedar Rapids crest
Capri College Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
39
40
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy crest
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy
Overland Park, KS
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Narrow General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools by State

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 95 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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