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Best Schools for Cosmetology in the United States
See the highest-ranked cosmetology schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Top Schools in Cosmetology
Johnson County Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 23 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data 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.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Johnson County Community College
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the top schools for cosmetology. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 19 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Typical student debt for the program is $11,861.
Get the full cosmetology details for Central Piedmont Community College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology program will find one at Utah State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $50,348 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Utah State University
Eastern Wyoming College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. This small public university is located in the town of Torrington. There were roughly 23 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Wyoming College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $24,995 early in their careers. Eastern Wyoming College graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Eastern Wyoming College
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Paul. There were roughly 32 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. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Ridgewater College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willmar. Ridgewater College awarded about 10 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $21,574. Typical student debt for the program is $9,750.
See the full cosmetology program report for Ridgewater College
Spokane Community College landed the #7 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 87 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Spokane Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $17,869. Spokane Community College graduates carry a median of $7,980 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Spokane Community College
Wake Technical Community College placed #8 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 47 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Wake Technical Community College earn around $23,286 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $7,693 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Wake Technical Community College
College Of Dupage earned the #9 position for cosmetology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 13 cosmetology degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for College Of Dupage
Clover Park Technical College earned the #10 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Clover Park Technical College awarded about 81 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $19,389 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Clover Park Technical College
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. About 66 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $16,496 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,112.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Central New Mexico Community College
Golden West College placed #12 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Golden West College awarded about 33 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full cosmetology program report for Golden West College
Lone Star College System earned the #13 position for cosmetology this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 14 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $18,887. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Lone Star College System
Mesa Community College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 32 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $54,730 in their early career. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Mesa Community College
Hutchinson Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 12 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $17,437. Typical student debt for the program is $18,148.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Hutchinson Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #16 position for cosmetology this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. About 99 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
See the full cosmetology program report for Fayetteville Technical Community College
Santa Monica College landed the #17 spot for cosmetology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Santa Monica College awarded about 16 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full cosmetology program report for Santa Monica College
Sacramento City College came in at #18 for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $18,184 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180.
See the full cosmetology program report for Sacramento City College
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Hanceville. There were roughly 30 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn around $40,017 in the first couple years of their career. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
Citrus College earned the #20 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Citrus College awarded about 42 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full cosmetology program report for Citrus College
Butte College landed the #21 spot for cosmetology this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 14 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $67,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Butte College
Fullerton College landed the #22 spot for cosmetology this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. There were roughly 20 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year.
Get the full cosmetology details for Fullerton College
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #23 for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. About 10 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $50,350 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Gateway Community College Phoenix
Barstow Community College landed the #24 spot for cosmetology this year. Barstow Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Barstow. Barstow Community College awarded about 13 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Barstow Community College earn around $22,398 in the first couple years of their career. Barstow Community College graduates carry a median of $5,588 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Barstow Community College
Central Carolina Community College earned the #25 position for cosmetology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Sanford. There were roughly 66 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $24,101. Central Carolina Community College graduates carry a median of $12,167 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Central Carolina Community College
Rest of the Top 48 Cosmetology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology ranking:
Other Cosmetology Degree Levels
Explore the best cosmetology schools at other degree levels:
