2027 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Associate’s Degree Schools
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in the United States
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
No school ranked higher than Central Piedmont Community College this year for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 26 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Central Piedmont Community College earn around $40,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Central Piedmont Community College
Eastern Wyoming College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #2 spot this year. This small public university is located in the town of Torrington. There were roughly 10 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Wyoming College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Eastern Wyoming College earn around $24,995 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Eastern Wyoming College
A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
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Spokane Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. About 30 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Spokane Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,980.
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Students looking for a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist program will find one at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lakewood. About 31 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Clover Park Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Clover Park Technical College earn around $19,389 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
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Walla Walla Community College landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Walla Walla. Walla Walla Community College awarded about 14 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $46,131. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Walla Walla Community College
Golden West College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Golden West College awarded about 22 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Golden West College earn around $82,984 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Central New Mexico Community College landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 35 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist 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.
Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Central New Mexico Community College
Wake Technical Community College earned the #9 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. About 23 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $23,286 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,693.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Wake Technical Community College
Hutchinson Community College came in at #10 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 12 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Hutchinson Community College earn around $17,437 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete this degree.
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Santa Monica College came in at #11 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Santa Monica College
Fullerton College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 23 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Fullerton College
Sacramento City College placed #13 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. About 13 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Sacramento City College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $18,184 early in their careers. Sacramento City College graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Sacramento City College
Citrus College came in at #14 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Citrus College awarded about 45 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year.
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Barstow Community College came in at #15 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Barstow, Barstow Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Barstow Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $22,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,588.
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Vincennes University placed #16 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Vincennes University awarded about 14 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete this degree.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 23 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Fayetteville Technical Community College
Helena College University Of Montana placed #18 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Helena College University Of Montana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Helena. There were roughly 14 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Helena College University Of Montana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Helena College University Of Montana generally make around $47,160. Helena College University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
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Cerritos College came in at #19 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Cerritos College awarded about 28 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $13,133. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Cerritos College
San Jacinto Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 15 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $15,655 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,791.
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Sandhills Community College came in at #21 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 10 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Sandhills Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. Sandhills Community College graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Sandhills Community College
Central Carolina Community College placed #22 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Sanford. About 21 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Central Carolina Community College graduates carry a median of $12,167 in student loans.
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El Camino Community College District earned the #23 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. El Camino Community College District awarded about 12 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for El Camino Community College District
Riverside City College earned the #24 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. There were roughly 15 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $13,431 in their early career. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $7,736 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Riverside City College
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #25 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Northeast Alabama Community College awarded about 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Northeast Alabama Community College graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Northeast Alabama Community College
Rest of the Top 48 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cosmetology/cosmetologist ranking:
Other General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist rankings across degree levels:
View All General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
