by our College Data Analytics TeamCosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor was the 1,181 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,382 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 108 over the prior year, a growth of 7.8%.
This year's Best Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools ranking compares 1 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor programs later in this article.
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor majors are found most commonly in careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is important. Talking to others to convey information effectively and actively looking for ways to help people are all required skills for careers related to this major.
cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor, with approximately 5.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 54.7% |
| High School Diploma | 23.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 10.6% |
| Some College Courses | 6.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor degree? Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor careers are expected to grow 13.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 697,400 | 13.0% |
| Barbers | 64,000 | 13.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Barbers | $33,220 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,190 |
With over 692 different cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased cosmetology, barber/styling, and nail instructor school rankings to help you with this.
One of 12 majors within the Cosmetology area of study, Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist | 46,395 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist | 31,569 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist | 11,623 |
| Barbering/Barber | 8,381 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,437 |
View All Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor Related Majors >
Image Credit: By Tiffany Bumgardner under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
