by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, general cosmetology/cosmetologist was the 450th most popular major nationwide with 46,395 degrees awarded. This represents a 1.7% increase in general cosmetology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 45,592.
Our 2023 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools ranking analyzes 26 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students. Explore this or one of our many other custom general cosmetology rankings further below.
When studying General Cosmetology, you’ll learn that talking to others to convey information effectively will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. 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 and actively looking for ways to help people are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional general cosmetology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of general cosmetology degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in general cosmetology/cosmetologist to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| 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 |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to general cosmetology, with approximately 3.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for general cosmetology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 59.2% |
| High School Diploma | 17.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 11.7% |
| Some College Courses | 6.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 3.3% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in general cosmetology/cosmetologist have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which general cosmetology career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your general cosmetology degree? General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist careers are expected to grow 13.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general cosmetology/cosmetologist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 697,400 | 13.0% |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | 143,000 | 13.2% |
| Skincare Specialists | 69,700 | 13.7% |
| Makeup Artists | 5,400 | 12.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for general cosmetology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers general cosmetology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Makeup Artists | $72,030 |
| Skincare Specialists | $36,350 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,190 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $25,860 |
With over 1,721 different general cosmetology 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 general cosmetology school rankings to help you with this.
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist is one of 12 different types of Cosmetology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist | 31,569 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist | 11,623 |
| Barbering/Barber | 8,381 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,437 |
| Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts | 2,278 |
Image Credit: By Tiffany Bumgardner under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
