by our College Data Analytics TeamCosmetology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 246 schools to find the best for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
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.
Lee College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in cosmetology. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. There were roughly 100 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Lee College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $14,727. Typical student debt for the program is $10,941. Get the full cosmetology details for Lee College
Wharton County Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wharton. There were roughly 55 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Wharton County Junior College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $19,087 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Wharton County Junior College
Lone Star College System is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #3. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Lone Star College System awarded about 113 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $18,887 early in their careers. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Lone Star College System
Mesa Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #4. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 32 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Mesa Community College
A rank of #5 makes San Jacinto Community College one of the top schools for cosmetology. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 297 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $15,655 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,791 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for San Jacinto Community College
Mclennan Community College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 68 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Mclennan Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $16,879 in their early career. Mclennan Community College graduates carry a median of $5,776 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Mclennan Community College
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 66 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $16,496 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Central New Mexico Community College
Texarkana College placed #8 among the best cosmetology schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Texarkana. There were roughly 38 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Texarkana College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $33,707 in their early career. Texarkana College graduates carry a median of $5,450 in student loans. Get the full cosmetology details for Texarkana College
College Of The Mainland landed the #9 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. College Of The Mainland awarded about 113 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from College Of The Mainland earn around $18,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,711 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for College Of The Mainland
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. About 10 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at Gateway Community College Phoenix
Howard College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 51 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Howard College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Howard College earn around $13,529 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,242. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Howard College
Grayson College placed #12 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Grayson College awarded about 84 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $18,598 early in their careers. Grayson College graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Grayson College
Navarro College earned the #13 position for cosmetology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Corsicana. There were roughly 60 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Navarro College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Navarro College earn a median of $20,857 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the cosmetology program at Navarro College
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 29 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Lamar Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Lamar Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Get the full cosmetology details for Lamar Institute Of Technology
Midland College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Midland. There were roughly 34 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Midland College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $43,454 in their early career. Midland College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. See the full cosmetology program report for Midland College
Odessa College placed #16 among the best cosmetology schools. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. There were roughly 90 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Odessa College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Typical student debt for the program is $9,087. See the full cosmetology program report for Odessa College
North Central Texas College came in at #17 for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. North Central Texas College awarded about 50 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $10,963 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,812. Get the full cosmetology details for North Central Texas College
Vernon College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public university. Vernon College awarded about 36 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Vernon College earn a median of $45,097 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,513 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Vernon College
Weatherford College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public university. Weatherford College awarded about 68 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $48,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Weatherford College
San Juan College placed #20 among the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Farmington. There were roughly 55 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at San Juan College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $41,697 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for San Juan College
South Plains College earned the #21 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. There were roughly 86 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at South Plains College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $11,557 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cosmetology from South Plains College
Kilgore College earned the #22 position for cosmetology this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Kilgore College awarded about 132 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $15,957. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Kilgore College
Northland Pioneer College earned the #23 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public institution. About 108 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Northland Pioneer College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $44,117 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Northland Pioneer College
Palo Alto College landed the #24 spot for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. There were roughly 87 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Palo Alto College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Palo Alto College earn around $29,062 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,430. See the full cosmetology program report for Palo Alto College
Galveston College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public university. Galveston College awarded about 26 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Galveston College earn a median of $51,165 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,183. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Galveston College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology ranking:
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 · 246 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.