2026 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in North Carolina
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 64 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 North Carolina
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Our analysis ranked Fayetteville Technical Community College the best school in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $40,584 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Central Piedmont Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 69 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $40,629 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,861.
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Students looking for a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist program will find one at Wake Technical Community College, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Raleigh. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 20 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.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Wake Technical Community College
Cape Fear Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Cape Fear Community College awarded about 77 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Cape Fear Community College earn around $42,889 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Mitchell Community College one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Statesville. About 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Mitchell Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $40,450 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,313.
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Catawba Valley Community College landed the #6 spot 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 17 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $16,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,842.
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Central Carolina Community College earned the #7 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Central Carolina Community College earn around $24,101 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,167.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Central Carolina Community College
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #8 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Rowan Cabarrus Community College awarded about 54 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $22,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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Lenoir Community College placed #9 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kinston. Lenoir Community College awarded about 20 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $14,172 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete this degree.
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Guilford Technical Community College placed #10 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. There were roughly 22 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Guilford Technical Community College earn around $17,193 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000.
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Stanly Community College earned the #11 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Stanly Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $41,920 in their early career.
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Cleveland Community College earned the #12 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Shelby. There were roughly 24 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $13,347 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete this degree.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Cleveland Community College
Robeson Community College landed the #13 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Lumberton. About 28 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Robeson Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Typical student debt for the program is $9,949.
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Randolph Community College earned the #14 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 80 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
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Alamance Community College came in at #15 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Graham. There were roughly 63 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Alamance Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Alamance Community College graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans.
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Isothermal Community College placed #16 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 22 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Isothermal Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $47,389 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree.
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Sampson Community College landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Sampson Community College awarded about 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Sampson Community College graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans.
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Johnston Community College placed #18 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 32 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Johnston Community College in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Johnston Community College
Davidson County Community College came in at #19 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Thomasville. About 24 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Davidson County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $19,024. Students borrow a median of $16,693 to complete this degree.
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Beaufort County Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 41 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Beaufort County Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,947.
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Nash Community College earned the #21 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 26 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Nash Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Nash Community College graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans.
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Coastal Carolina Community College landed the #22 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Coastal Carolina Community College awarded about 30 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Coastal Carolina Community College earn a median of $14,444 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete this degree.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Coastal Carolina Community College
Sandhills Community College placed #23 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 26 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. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete this degree.
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Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #24 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. About 42 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Southwestern Community College Sylva in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $14,354 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,708.
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Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock awarded about 18 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. Typical student debt for the program is $16,252.
See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock
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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 64 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.
