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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1 Colleges in the United States
13,617 Cosmetology Degrees Awarded
$18,004 Avg Early-Career Salary

Cosmetology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 157 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best cosmetology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Cosmetology in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Cosmetology

1

Community College Of Allegheny County tops our 2026 ranking of the best cosmetology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Community College Of Allegheny County awarded about 11 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Community College Of Allegheny County earn around $47,420 in the first couple years of their career. Community College Of Allegheny County graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Get the full cosmetology details for Community College Of Allegheny County

2

Artistic Academy Of Hair Design is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #2. Artistic Academy Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Morris Plains. Artistic Academy Of Hair Design awarded about 89 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $17,274 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the cosmetology program at Artistic Academy Of Hair Design

3

Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #3. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Nanuet. About 319 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers earn around $17,982 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,915. See the full cosmetology program report for Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers

4
Innovate Salon Academy crest
Innovate Salon Academy
South Plainfield, NJ

Innovate Salon Academy is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of South Plainfield, Innovate Salon Academy is a small private for-profit institution. About 224 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Innovate Salon Academy in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Innovate Salon Academy earn around $16,420 in the first couple years of their career. Innovate Salon Academy graduates carry a median of $7,667 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Innovate Salon Academy

5
Parisian Beauty School crest
Parisian Beauty School
Hackensack, NJ

Parisian Beauty School is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #5. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hackensack. There were roughly 337 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Parisian Beauty School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $15,517 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,083 to complete this degree. Get the full cosmetology details for Parisian Beauty School

6

New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of white plains, New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa is a small private for-profit institution. New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa awarded about 175 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $20,531 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa

7

Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork landed the #7 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 152 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork earn around $19,624 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,208. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork

8

Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady earned the #8 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady is a small private for-profit institution. Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady awarded about 90 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $17,570 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,407. Read more about the cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady

9

The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda landed the #9 spot for cosmetology this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Tonawanda. About 142 cosmetology degrees were awarded at The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda earn a median of $17,534 early in their careers. The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda graduates carry a median of $10,667 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda

10

Aesthetic Science Institute ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Latham, Aesthetic Science Institute is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 175 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Aesthetic Science Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $22,638 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete this degree. Get the full cosmetology details for Aesthetic Science Institute

11

South Hills Beauty Academy Inc earned the #11 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a small private for-profit institution. South Hills Beauty Academy Inc awarded about 164 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from South Hills Beauty Academy Inc generally make around $20,852. Typical student debt for the program is $7,662. Read more about the cosmetology program at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc

12

Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics landed the #12 spot for cosmetology this year. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 267 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics generally make around $21,516. Typical student debt for the program is $6,333. See the full cosmetology program report for Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics

13

Arrojo Cosmetology School placed #13 among the best cosmetology schools. Arrojo Cosmetology School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. There were roughly 109 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Arrojo Cosmetology School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Arrojo Cosmetology School earn around $18,528 in the first couple years of their career. Arrojo Cosmetology School graduates carry a median of $10,666 in student loans. See the full cosmetology program report for Arrojo Cosmetology School

14

Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness placed #14 among the best cosmetology schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Voorhees. There were roughly 312 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness earn around $16,954 in the first couple years of their career. Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness

15

Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology earned the #15 position for cosmetology this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wayne. Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology awarded about 303 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology generally make around $18,519. Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,211 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology

16

Innovate Salon Academy Ewing landed the #16 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, Innovate Salon Academy Ewing is a small private for-profit university. About 132 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Innovate Salon Academy Ewing in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $16,420 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,667. See the full cosmetology program report for Innovate Salon Academy Ewing

17

New York Institute Of Beauty landed the #17 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Islandia, New York Institute Of Beauty is a small private for-profit university. New York Institute Of Beauty awarded about 198 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $18,365 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,062 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at New York Institute Of Beauty

18

Aveda Institute Maryland came in at #18 for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Bel Air, Aveda Institute Maryland is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 106 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Aveda Institute Maryland in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Aveda Institute Maryland earn around $16,394 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Aveda Institute Maryland

19

Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield placed #19 among the best cosmetology schools. Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of North Plainfield. There were roughly 124 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield generally make around $22,676. Typical student debt for the program is $8,248. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield

20

Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum earned the #20 position for cosmetology this year. Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Linthicum. There were roughly 217 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum earn around $20,754 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,917. Get the full cosmetology details for Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum

21

Douglas Education Center earned the #21 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Monessen, Douglas Education Center is a small private for-profit institution. About 114 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Douglas Education Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Douglas Education Center generally make around $19,940. Douglas Education Center graduates carry a median of $11,823 in student loans. Get the full cosmetology details for Douglas Education Center

22

Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute landed the #22 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Bethpage, Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute is a small private for-profit institution. About 345 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute generally make around $15,644. Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. See the full cosmetology program report for Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute

23
Western Suffolk Boces crest
Western Suffolk Boces
Northport, NY

Western Suffolk Boces placed #23 among the best cosmetology schools. This small public university is located in the suburb of Northport. About 38 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Western Suffolk Boces in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Western Suffolk Boces earn a median of $17,906 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,210. Read more about the cosmetology program at Western Suffolk Boces

24

Academy Of Massage And Bodywork landed the #24 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Bear, Academy Of Massage And Bodywork is a small private for-profit university. About 67 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Academy Of Massage And Bodywork in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Academy Of Massage And Bodywork earn around $18,223 in the first couple years of their career. Academy Of Massage And Bodywork graduates carry a median of $6,376 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Academy Of Massage And Bodywork

25

Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester came in at #25 for cosmetology this year. Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. About 240 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester generally make around $18,208. Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester graduates carry a median of $9,617 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester

Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology ranking:

26
27
Erie 1 Boces crest
Erie 1 Boces
West Seneca, NY
28
Atlantic Beauty And Spa Academy Llc crest
Atlantic Beauty And Spa Academy Llc
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
29
30
Metro Beauty Academy crest
Metro Beauty Academy
Allentown, PA
31
32
33
34
35
36
Career School Of Ny crest
Career School Of Ny
Staten Island, NY
37
38
39
40
41
Bella Capelli Academy crest
Bella Capelli Academy
Monroeville, PA
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 157 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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