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Best Schools for Cosmetology in North Carolina
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
Leading the list is Fayetteville Technical Community College, our #1 school for cosmetology. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 121 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College earn around $40,584 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Fayetteville Technical Community College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology program will find one at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 70 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. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Central Piedmont Community College
A rank of #3 makes Wake Technical Community College one of the top schools for cosmetology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Raleigh. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 49 cosmetology degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $7,693 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Wake Technical Community College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology program will find one at Cape Fear Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 147 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Cape Fear Community College earn around $42,889 in the first couple years of their career. Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Cape Fear Community College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology program will find one at Mitchell Community College, which ranked #5. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Statesville. There were roughly 81 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Mitchell Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $40,450 in their early career. Mitchell Community College graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Mitchell Community College
Catawba Valley Community College placed #6 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 17 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Catawba Valley Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Catawba Valley Community College generally make around $16,506. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Catawba Valley Community College
Gaston College landed the #7 spot for cosmetology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Gaston College awarded about 44 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Gaston College earn around $27,008 in the first couple years of their career. Gaston College graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Gaston College
Central Carolina Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Central Carolina Community College awarded about 90 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,167.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Central Carolina Community College
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 137 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $22,578. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full cosmetology details for Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Lenoir Community College earned the #10 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Lenoir Community College awarded about 37 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $14,172 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,984.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Lenoir Community College
Guilford Technical Community College placed #11 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. About 22 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $17,193. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000.
See the full cosmetology program report for Guilford Technical Community College
Stanly Community College came in at #12 for cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Stanly Community College awarded about 38 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Get the full cosmetology details for Stanly Community College
Cleveland Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. There were roughly 58 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $13,347 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Cleveland Community College
Robeson Community College came in at #14 for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Lumberton. Robeson Community College awarded about 28 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. Robeson Community College graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Robeson Community College
Randolph Community College came in at #15 for cosmetology this year. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. About 89 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Randolph Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Get the full cosmetology details for Randolph Community College
Alamance Community College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Alamance Community College awarded about 84 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625.
See the full cosmetology program report for Alamance Community College
Isothermal Community College came in at #17 for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Spindale. Isothermal Community College awarded about 56 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Isothermal Community College
Sampson Community College placed #18 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 24 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Sampson Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $45,929 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete this degree.
Get the full cosmetology details for Sampson Community College
Johnston Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Smithfield. Johnston Community College awarded about 32 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Johnston Community College earn around $37,472 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,490.
Get the full cosmetology details for Johnston Community College
Davidson County Community College earned the #20 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 56 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Davidson County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $19,024 in their early career. Davidson County Community College graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Davidson County Community College
Beaufort County Community College came in at #21 for cosmetology this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 41 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Beaufort County Community College in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Beaufort County Community College
Nash Community College landed the #22 spot for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Nash Community College awarded about 26 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $45,512 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,969.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Nash Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College came in at #23 for cosmetology this year. Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Coastal Carolina Community College awarded about 30 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Coastal Carolina Community College earn a median of $14,444 early in their careers. Coastal Carolina Community College graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Coastal Carolina Community College
Sandhills Community College came in at #24 for cosmetology this year. Sandhills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. About 26 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Sandhills Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Sandhills Community College earn around $46,492 in the first couple years of their career. Sandhills Community College graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Sandhills Community College
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #25 among the best cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Southwestern Community College Sylva awarded about 42 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $14,354 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Southwestern Community College Sylva
Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong cosmetology education:
