Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools to find the best for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students.
Choosing a Great Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor School
Where you study cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor in the United States
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, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor
Our analysis ranked Gateway Technical College the best school in the country for a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. About 52 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,958 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program will find one at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 31%. About 34 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program make about $18,974 in their early career. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla graduates carry a median of $7,269 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of San German, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German graduates 37% of students within six years. About 14 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German in the most recent year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German earn a median of $17,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,821.
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Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 29% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn around $22,810 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,051.
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A rank of #5 makes Nova Academy Of Cosmetology one of the top schools for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Located in the city of Rochester, Nova Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Nova Academy Of Cosmetology awarded about 16 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program make about $25,754 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,999 to complete this degree.
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Aveda Institute Des Moines earned the #6 position for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the city of West Des Moines, Aveda Institute Des Moines is a small private for-profit institution. Aveda Institute Des Moines awarded about 20 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Aveda Institute Des Moines generally make around $27,081. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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Parisian Beauty School ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Parisian Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackensack. Parisian Beauty School awarded about 11 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Parisian Beauty School earn a median of $15,517 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,083.
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Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama landed the #8 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guayama. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama awarded about 20 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama earn around $25,972 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,109 to complete this degree.
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Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa landed the #9 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 10 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa generally make around $21,496. Typical student debt for the program is $8,081.
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Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett placed #10 among the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the city of Everett, Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 53 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett in the most recent data year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett earn a median of $23,420 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,164.
More information about a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor from Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett
Avalon School Of Cosmetology Layton earned the #11 position for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Avalon School Of Cosmetology Layton is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Layton. There were roughly 10 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Avalon School Of Cosmetology Layton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program make about $21,496 in their early career. Avalon School Of Cosmetology Layton graduates carry a median of $8,081 in student loans.
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Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia placed #12 among the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia is a small private for-profit institution. Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia awarded about 20 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia earn a median of $22,267 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete this degree.
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Metro Beauty Academy came in at #13 for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Metro Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Allentown. Metro Beauty Academy awarded about 10 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree from Metro Beauty Academy earn around $21,226 in the first couple years of their career. Metro Beauty Academy graduates carry a median of $13,381 in student loans.
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Lesprit Academy landed the #14 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Canton, Lesprit Academy is a small private for-profit institution. About 11 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Lesprit Academy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Lesprit Academy generally make around $16,706. Typical student debt for the program is $9,833.
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Georgia Career Institute landed the #15 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Conyers, Georgia Career Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Georgia Career Institute awarded about 10 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program make about $17,041 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,222 to complete this degree.
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Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Bridgeview ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeview, Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Bridgeview is a small private for-profit university. Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Bridgeview awarded about 10 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Bridgeview earn a median of $17,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,719.
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Empire Beauty School Springfield came in at #17 for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Empire Beauty School Springfield is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Springfield. About 11 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Empire Beauty School Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree from Empire Beauty School Springfield earn around $16,429 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,583.
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Hilltop Beauty School placed #18 among the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 15 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Hilltop Beauty School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Hilltop Beauty School generally make around $15,698.
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Hacienda La Puente Adult Education landed the #19 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the suburb of La Puente, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public institution. About 38 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Hacienda La Puente Adult Education in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree from Hacienda La Puente Adult Education earn around $9,467 in the first couple years of their career.
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Asian American International Beauty College landed the #20 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Westminster. There were roughly 14 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Asian American International Beauty College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Asian American International Beauty College generally make around $9,647. Typical student debt for the program is $7,711.
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Dmart Institute placed #21 among the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the suburb of Barranquitas, Dmart Institute is a small private for-profit university. About 13 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees were awarded at Dmart Institute in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program make about $7,908 in their early career.
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Fred W Eberle Technical Center landed the #22 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the town of Buckhannon, Fred W Eberle Technical Center is a small public university. Fred W Eberle Technical Center awarded about 14 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Fred W Eberle Technical Center generally make around $34,661. Fred W Eberle Technical Center graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
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Professional Cosmetology Education Center placed #23 among the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the town of El Dorado, Professional Cosmetology Education Center is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 16 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students who graduated with this degree at Professional Cosmetology Education Center in the most recent data year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Professional Cosmetology Education Center earn a median of $11,050 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,912.
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Networks Barber College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the suburb of Calumet City, Networks Barber College is a small private for-profit institution. Networks Barber College awarded about 25 cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Networks Barber College earn a median of $12,028 early in their careers. Networks Barber College graduates carry a median of $14,377 in student loans.
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Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
