General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general cosmetology/cosmetologist programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 353 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students pursuing a degree.
Leading the list is Palm Beach State College, our #1 school for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. About 80 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $24,361 in their early career. Palm Beach State College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
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Daytona State College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. Daytona State College awarded about 116 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $20,212. Students borrow a median of $5,807 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This large public university is located in the city of Warner Robins. About 246 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $39,765 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,217 to complete this degree.
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Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. There were roughly 71 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Florida State College At Jacksonville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $29,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,577.
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Students looking for a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist program will find one at Pensacola State College, which ranked #5. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Pensacola State College awarded about 53 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $23,911 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Trident Technical College placed #6 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Trident Technical College awarded about 49 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Trident Technical College earn around $50,166 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete this degree.
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South Georgia Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 29 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from South Georgia Technical College earn around $20,501 in the first couple years of their career. South Georgia Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans.
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Ogeechee Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Ogeechee Technical College awarded about 64 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $17,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete this degree.
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Central Piedmont Community College placed #9 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 77 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.
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Cape Fear Community College earned the #10 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 109 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,388.
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Indian River State College came in at #11 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. There were roughly 85 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Indian River State College earn around $18,411 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,540 to complete this degree.
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Athens Technical College landed the #12 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 121 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Athens Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Athens Technical College earn around $16,178 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Athens Technical College
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #13 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. There were roughly 165 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Southern Crescent Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $45,062 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,619.
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Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #14 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Georgia Northwestern Technical College awarded about 209 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete this degree.
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Lanier Technical College placed #15 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Lanier Technical College awarded about 101 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $22,686. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete this degree.
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Wake Technical Community College placed #16 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data 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.
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East Central Community College landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at East Central Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of East Central Community College earn a median of $32,981 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete this degree.
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Gaston College came in at #18 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 27 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $27,008. Typical student debt for the program is $10,915.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 26 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $40,584 in their early career. Fayetteville Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #20 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. About 276 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $19,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,864.
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Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #21 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. About 140 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Chattahoochee Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $16,767. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
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Mitchell Community College placed #22 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Statesville. There were roughly 31 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Mitchell Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $40,450. Typical student debt for the program is $6,313.
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Catawba Valley Community College landed the #23 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Catawba Valley Community College awarded about 23 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Catawba Valley Community College earn around $16,506 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete this degree.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #24 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Mississippi Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $17,660 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Rowan Cabarrus Community College awarded about 113 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education:
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 · 353 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).
