2026 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in California
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 125 schools to find the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
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Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cosmetology/cosmetologist education in California.
Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Leading the list is Golden West College, our #1 school for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. There were roughly 190 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College 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. Golden West College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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San Jose City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose City College is a large public institution. San Jose City College awarded about 102 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from San Jose City College earn around $23,253 in the first couple years of their career.
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Skyline College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. There were roughly 161 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Skyline College
Mti College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Mti College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. There were roughly 101 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Mti College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mti College generally make around $21,371. Mti College graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans.
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Santa Monica College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Santa Monica College awarded about 182 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year.
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College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. There were roughly 34 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
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Sacramento City College came in at #7 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Sacramento City College awarded about 103 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Sacramento City College earn around $18,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180.
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Citrus College earned the #8 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. About 206 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year.
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Butte College came in at #9 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Butte College awarded about 110 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $67,048 in their early career. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans.
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Fullerton College came in at #10 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Fullerton College awarded about 117 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Fullerton College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #11 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. About 41 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $68,184 in their early career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Santa Barbara City College
Santiago Canyon College came in at #12 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. About 33 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $34,100 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Riverside City College earned the #13 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Riverside City College awarded about 110 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $13,431 early in their careers. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $7,736 in student loans.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Riverside City College
Barstow Community College came in at #14 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Barstow. Barstow Community College awarded about 54 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Barstow Community College earn around $22,398 in the first couple years of their career. Barstow Community College graduates carry a median of $5,588 in student loans.
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Pasadena City College earned the #15 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans.
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El Camino Community College District landed the #16 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. About 31 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year.
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Cerritos College earned the #17 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 147 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $13,133. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree.
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Saddleback College earned the #18 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 149 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Saddleback College earn around $11,257 in the first couple years of their career. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans.
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Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #19 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. Los Angeles Trade Technical College awarded about 166 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans.
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Allan Hancock College placed #20 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. There were roughly 25 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Allan Hancock College
Solano Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 14 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Solano Community College in the most recent data year. Solano Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans.
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Gavilan College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Gilroy. There were roughly 36 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Gavilan College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,939.
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El Camino College Compton Center earned the #23 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Compton. About 72 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at El Camino College Compton Center in the most recent year.
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Laney College came in at #24 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oakland. Laney College awarded about 35 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year.
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San Diego City College came in at #25 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 52 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at San Diego City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from San Diego City College earn around $13,445 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego City College graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from San Diego City College
Rest of the Top 50 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 125 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.
