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Best Schools for Cosmetology in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall cosmetology education in California.
Top Schools in Cosmetology
Our analysis ranked Golden West College the best school in the country for a degree in cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. There were roughly 190 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Golden West College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Golden West College
A rank of #2 makes San Jose City College one of the top schools for cosmetology. 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.
See the full cosmetology program report for San Jose City College
A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the top schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. There were roughly 161 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Skyline College
Mti College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Mti College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 132 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Mti College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Mti College earn around $21,371 in the first couple years of their career. Mti College graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Mti College
Santa Monica College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 182 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Santa Monica College
College Of San Mateo came in at #6 for cosmetology this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 34 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at College Of San Mateo
Sacramento City College landed the #7 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 103 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $18,184. 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 #8 position for cosmetology this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. About 206 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Citrus College
Butte College placed #9 among the best cosmetology schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. There were roughly 110 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Typical student debt for the program is $13,302.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Butte College
Fullerton College landed the #10 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Fullerton College awarded about 117 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full cosmetology program report for Fullerton College
Santa Barbara City College earned the #11 position for cosmetology this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 41 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $68,184 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Santa Barbara City College
Santiago Canyon College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. About 33 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Santiago Canyon College
Riverside City College placed #13 among the best cosmetology schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Riverside City College awarded about 110 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $13,431 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,736 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Riverside City College
Barstow Community College earned the #14 position for cosmetology this year. Barstow Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Barstow. Barstow Community College awarded about 54 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. Students borrow a median of $5,588 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Barstow Community College
Pasadena City College came in at #15 for cosmetology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Pasadena City College awarded about 37 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Pasadena City College
El Camino Community College District landed the #16 spot for cosmetology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. There were roughly 31 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from El Camino Community College District
Cerritos College came in at #17 for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. There were roughly 147 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $13,133 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Cerritos College
Saddleback College placed #18 among the best cosmetology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Saddleback College awarded about 149 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology 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 cosmetology from Saddleback College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology this year. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. There were roughly 166 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn around $53,553 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Allan Hancock College came in at #20 for cosmetology this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. There were roughly 25 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year.
Get the full cosmetology details for Allan Hancock College
Solano Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. About 14 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Solano Community College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Solano Community College
Gavilan College earned the #22 position for cosmetology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Gilroy. Gavilan College awarded about 36 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Gavilan College graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Gavilan College
El Camino College Compton Center landed the #23 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Compton, El Camino College Compton Center is a moderately-sized public university. El Camino College Compton Center awarded about 72 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the cosmetology program at El Camino College Compton Center
Laney College landed the #24 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public university. Laney College awarded about 35 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full cosmetology program report for Laney College
San Diego City College placed #25 among the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. San Diego City College awarded about 52 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $13,445. Typical student debt for the program is $9,514.
See the full cosmetology program report for San Diego City College
Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for cosmetology this year:
