Cosmetology 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.
College Factual analyzed 1613 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best cosmetology schools.
The school you choose for cosmetology can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Cosmetology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Cosmetology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Cosmetology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Chippewa Valley Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in cosmetology. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. About 47 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $23,405. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,395 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Chippewa Valley Technical College
Madison Area Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 19 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $22,152 in the first couple years of their career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Madison Area Technical College
A rank of #3 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the top schools for cosmetology. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fond du Lac. There were roughly 44 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. Moraine Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Moraine Park Technical College
Palm Beach State College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Palm Beach State College awarded about 256 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $24,361 early in their careers. Palm Beach State College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Palm Beach State College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology program will find one at Waukesha County Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. About 54 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology 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.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Waukesha County Technical College
Johnson County Community College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. About 47 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Johnson County Community College earn around $21,250 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Johnson County Community College
Daytona State College came in at #7 for cosmetology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. Daytona State College awarded about 157 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $20,212 in their early career. Daytona State College graduates carry a median of $5,807 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Daytona State College
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #8 for cosmetology this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. There were roughly 57 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Fox Valley Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rice Lake. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College awarded about 44 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $18,294. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Lee College placed #10 among the best cosmetology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. Lee College awarded about 100 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Lee College earn a median of $14,727 early in their careers. Lee College graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Lee College
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #11 for cosmetology this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. There were roughly 60 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Trinidad State Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $53,086. Trinidad State Junior College graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Trinidad State Junior College
Ogeechee Technical College earned the #12 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 115 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Ogeechee Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Ogeechee Technical College earn around $17,660 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Ogeechee Technical College
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #13 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 232 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Southern Crescent Technical College in the most recent year. Cosmetology 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.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Southern Crescent Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 124 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $23,198. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Milwaukee Area Technical College
Lake Land College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Lake Land College awarded about 43 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $13,714 in their early career. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Lake Land College
Gateway Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 119 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Students borrow a median of $7,958 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Gateway Technical College
Mid State Technical College landed the #17 spot for cosmetology this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. There were roughly 44 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Mid State Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $17,385 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,081.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Mid State Technical College
Pensacola State College landed the #18 spot for cosmetology this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. There were roughly 201 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Pensacola State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $23,911. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full cosmetology details for Pensacola State College
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #19 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. There were roughly 348 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins graduates carry a median of $7,217 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. There were roughly 179 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology 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.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
South Georgia Technical College came in at #21 for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Americus. South Georgia Technical College awarded about 64 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $20,501 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,423.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from South Georgia Technical College
Wharton County Junior College earned the #22 position for cosmetology this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. There were roughly 55 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Wharton County Junior College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $19,087 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Wharton County Junior College
Ridgewater College earned the #23 position for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willmar. Ridgewater College awarded about 31 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Ridgewater College earn around $21,574 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Ridgewater College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earned the #24 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 19 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $42,087 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,112.
Get the full cosmetology details for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 121 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology 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.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Fayetteville Technical Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for cosmetology this year:
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 · 1613 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
