by our College Data Analytics TeamCosmetology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 194 schools to find the best for cosmetology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall cosmetology education in the Far Western Region.
Leading the list is Golden West College, our #1 school for cosmetology. This large public university is located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Golden West College awarded about 190 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $82,984 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at Golden West College
A rank of #2 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the top schools for cosmetology. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Lakewood. There were roughly 81 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Clover Park Technical College 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. See the full cosmetology program report for Clover Park Technical College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology 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. About 87 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Spokane Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Spokane Community College earn around $17,869 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,980 to complete this degree. Get the full cosmetology details for Spokane Community College
San Jose City College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose City College awarded about 102 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $23,253 in their early career. Get the full cosmetology details for San Jose City College
A rank of #5 makes Skyline College one of the top schools for cosmetology. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. There were roughly 161 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. See the full cosmetology program report for Skyline College
Mti College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 132 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Mti College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Mti College generally make around $21,371. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at Mti College
Santa Monica College earned the #7 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 182 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Santa Monica College
College Of San Mateo came in at #8 for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. There were roughly 34 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at College Of San Mateo
Sacramento City College earned the #9 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Sacramento City College awarded about 103 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Sacramento City College earn around $18,184 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Sacramento City College
Citrus College earned the #10 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Citrus College awarded about 206 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Citrus College
Butte College placed #11 among the best cosmetology schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 110 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology 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 cosmetology program at Butte College
Fullerton College came in at #12 for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. About 117 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year. Get the full cosmetology details for Fullerton College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 41 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $68,184 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Santa Barbara City College
Santiago Canyon College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Santiago Canyon College awarded about 33 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the cosmetology program at Santiago Canyon College
Riverside City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. There were roughly 110 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $13,431 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,736. See the full cosmetology program report for Riverside City College
Barstow Community College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Barstow, Barstow Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Barstow Community College awarded about 54 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $22,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,588. Read more about the cosmetology program at Barstow Community College
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for cosmetology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 37 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $38,841 in their early career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Pasadena City College
Everett Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 19 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Everett Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Everett Community College
El Camino Community College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. 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 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in cosmetology from El Camino Community College District
Cerritos College landed the #20 spot for cosmetology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 147 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Cerritos College earn around $13,133 in the first couple years of their career. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Get the full cosmetology details for Cerritos College
Olympic College earned the #21 position for cosmetology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Bremerton. About 23 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Olympic College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Typical student debt for the program is $11,497. Read more about the cosmetology program at Olympic College
Honolulu Community College landed the #22 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 29 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Honolulu Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $59,006 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete this degree. Get the full cosmetology details for Honolulu Community College
Saddleback College placed #23 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Saddleback College awarded about 149 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $11,257 early in their careers. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Saddleback College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #24 spot for cosmetology this year. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Los Angeles Trade Technical College awarded about 166 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $53,553 in their early career. Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Allan Hancock College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. About 25 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Allan Hancock College in the most recent year. Get the full cosmetology details for Allan Hancock College
These schools also placed among the best for cosmetology this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 194 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.