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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Cosmetology Schools in the The Plains States Region

2 Colleges in the United States
6,742 Cosmetology Degrees Awarded
$23,445 Avg Early-Career Salary

Cosmetology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 104 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for cosmetology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Cosmetology in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall cosmetology education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Cosmetology

1

Our analysis ranked Johnson County Community College the best school in the country for a degree in cosmetology. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. About 47 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at Johnson County Community College

2

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College awarded about 179 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn around $32,987 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree. See the full cosmetology program report for Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College

3
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #3. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Ridgewater College awarded about 31 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $21,574 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,750. See the full cosmetology program report for Ridgewater College

4

Minnesota State Community And Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Minnesota State Community And Technical College awarded about 43 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $24,367 in their early career. Minnesota State Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. See the full cosmetology program report for Minnesota State Community And Technical College

5

Garden City Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Garden City Community College awarded about 18 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $18,724. Garden City Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full cosmetology details for Garden City Community College

6

Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 30 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota West Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $17,767. Minnesota West Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Minnesota West Community And Technical College

7
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College earned the #7 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. About 67 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Century College earn around $47,502 in the first couple years of their career. Century College graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Century College

8

Hutchinson Community College placed #8 among the best cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Hutchinson Community College awarded about 51 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $17,437 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Hutchinson Community College

9

Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. There were roughly 34 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Washburn Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Washburn Institute Of Technology earn around $22,547 in the first couple years of their career. Washburn Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Washburn Institute Of Technology

10

Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Lake Area Technical Institute awarded about 35 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $20,420. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full cosmetology details for Lake Area Technical Institute

11

Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #11 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 59 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $21,091 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,235. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Kansas City Kansas Community College

12

Riverland Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. About 42 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Riverland Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $49,194 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at Riverland Community College

13

Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #13 for cosmetology this year. This small public university is located in the town of Goodland. There were roughly 19 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Kansas Technical College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Northwest Kansas Technical College

14

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #14 position for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Liberal. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School awarded about 23 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Read more about the cosmetology program at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School

15

Fort Scott Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. About 36 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Fort Scott Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Fort Scott Community College earn around $20,691 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cosmetology from Fort Scott Community College

16

Minnesota State College Southeast Technical came in at #16 for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical awarded about 42 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $50,290 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,522. Get the full cosmetology details for Minnesota State College Southeast Technical

17

Dodge City Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 41 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Dodge City Community College in the most recent data year. See the full cosmetology program report for Dodge City Community College

18

Cowley County Community College earned the #18 position for cosmetology this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Cowley County Community College awarded about 15 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $34,099. Typical student debt for the program is $9,312. See the full cosmetology program report for Cowley County Community College

19

Aveda Institute Minneapolis came in at #19 for cosmetology this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 312 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Aveda Institute Minneapolis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Aveda Institute Minneapolis generally make around $24,230. Students borrow a median of $9,941 to complete this degree. Read more about the cosmetology program at Aveda Institute Minneapolis

20
Stewart School crest
Stewart School
Sioux Falls, SD

Stewart School earned the #20 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Stewart School is a small private for-profit institution. Stewart School awarded about 99 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Stewart School earn a median of $22,684 early in their careers. Stewart School graduates carry a median of $8,863 in student loans. See the full cosmetology program report for Stewart School

21

Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics placed #21 among the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics is a small private for-profit university. About 156 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $25,942 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,166. Read more about the cosmetology program at Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics

22

The Salon Professional Academy Fargo ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best cosmetology schools. The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fargo. About 133 cosmetology degrees were awarded at The Salon Professional Academy Fargo in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Fargo earn a median of $29,330 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full cosmetology details for The Salon Professional Academy Fargo

23

Nova Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #23 for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Nova Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. About 198 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Nova Academy Of Cosmetology in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Nova Academy Of Cosmetology earn a median of $25,754 early in their careers. Nova Academy Of Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,999 in student loans. See the full cosmetology program report for Nova Academy Of Cosmetology

24
Aveda Institute Des Moines crest
Aveda Institute Des Moines
West Des Moines, IA

Aveda Institute Des Moines earned the #24 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of West Des Moines, Aveda Institute Des Moines is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 155 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Aveda Institute Des Moines in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $27,081 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the cosmetology program at Aveda Institute Des Moines

25

Model College Of Hair Design placed #25 among the best cosmetology schools. Model College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Cloud. About 99 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Model College Of Hair Design in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Model College Of Hair Design earn a median of $25,814 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,778. Get the full cosmetology details for Model College Of Hair Design

Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for cosmetology this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Pci Academy Plymouth crest
Pci Academy Plymouth
Plymouth, MN
32
Pci Academy Iowa City crest
Pci Academy Iowa City
Iowa City, IA
33
34
35
36
37
38
Capri College Cedar Rapids crest
Capri College Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
39
Skin Institute crest
Skin Institute
Saint Louis, MO
40
41
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy crest
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy
Overland Park, KS
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 · 104 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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