2027 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in North Carolina
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cosmetology/cosmetologist education in North Carolina.
Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best school in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 77 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist program will find one at Cape Fear Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. About 109 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes Wake Technical Community College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $23,286 in their early career. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $7,693 in student loans.
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Gaston College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, ranking #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Gaston College awarded about 27 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $27,008 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,915.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 26 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Mitchell Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 31 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Mitchell Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Mitchell Community College earn around $40,450 in the first couple years of their career. Mitchell Community College graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans.
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Catawba Valley Community College came in at #7 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $9,842.
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Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. Rowan Cabarrus Community College awarded about 113 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn around $22,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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Central Carolina Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 42 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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Cleveland Community College placed #10 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Shelby. About 23 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Cleveland Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $13,347. Typical student debt for the program is $7,131.
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Sandhills Community College earned the #11 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Sandhills Community College awarded about 41 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete this degree.
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Randolph Community College landed the #12 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 77 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Randolph Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Randolph Community College earn around $32,198 in the first couple years of their career.
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Robeson Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Robeson Community College awarded about 13 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $52,951 in their early career. Robeson Community College graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans.
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Stanly Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. About 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Stanly Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Stanly Community College earn around $41,920 in the first couple years of their career.
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Guilford Technical Community College came in at #15 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 30 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $17,193 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000.
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Davidson County Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 44 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Davidson County Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $19,024 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,693.
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Alamance Community College came in at #17 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Graham. About 46 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Alamance Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $37,585 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625.
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Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earned the #18 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 34 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn around $42,443 in the first couple years of their career. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans.
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Sampson Community College earned the #19 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Sampson Community College awarded about 24 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Sampson Community College earn around $45,929 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete this degree.
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Haywood Community College came in at #20 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Haywood Community College awarded about 15 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
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Johnston Community College came in at #21 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 34 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Johnston Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Johnston Community College graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans.
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Beaufort County Community College landed the #22 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Washington. Beaufort County Community College awarded about 22 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Beaufort County Community College earn around $38,009 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete this degree.
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Brunswick Community College placed #23 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public university. Brunswick Community College awarded about 43 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Western Piedmont Community College earned the #24 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 26 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Western Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $46,883 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete this degree.
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Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 36 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Community College Sylva in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $14,354 early in their careers. Southwestern Community College Sylva graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cosmetology/cosmetologist ranking:
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 51 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.
