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2027 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southwest Region

174 Colleges in the United States
9,021 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degrees Awarded
$23,104 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 174 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cosmetology/cosmetologist education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

1
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

No school ranked higher than Lee College this year for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. Lee College awarded about 110 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lee College earn a median of $14,727 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Lee College

2

Wharton County Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, ranking #2. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 44 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Wharton County Junior College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $19,087 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Wharton County Junior College

3
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. About 59 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at College Of The Mainland in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from College Of The Mainland earn around $18,495 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,711. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for College Of The Mainland

4
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

A rank of #4 makes Lone Star College System one of the top schools for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 64 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $18,887 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Lone Star College System

5
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX

Texarkana College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, ranking #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Texarkana. Texarkana College awarded about 60 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $33,707 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,450. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Texarkana College

6

San Jacinto Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 211 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $15,655 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,791. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for San Jacinto Community College

7

Central New Mexico Community College placed #7 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. About 35 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $16,496 early in their careers. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Central New Mexico Community College

8

North Central Texas College placed #8 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. About 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at North Central Texas College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $10,963. Students borrow a median of $6,812 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at North Central Texas College

9
Navarro College crest
Navarro College
Corsicana, TX

Navarro College landed the #9 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public institution. Navarro College awarded about 97 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Navarro College earn around $20,857 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Navarro College

10

Mclennan Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. There were roughly 46 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Mclennan Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $16,879. Students borrow a median of $5,776 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Mclennan Community College

11

Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. About 38 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Lamar Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Students borrow a median of $14,278 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Lamar Institute Of Technology

12

Gateway Community College Central City earned the #12 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This small public university is located in the city of Phoenix. Gateway Community College Central City awarded about 16 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Gateway Community College Central City earn around $45,781 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,037 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Gateway Community College Central City

13
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College placed #13 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Midland. About 48 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Midland College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Midland College earn around $43,454 in the first couple years of their career. Midland College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Midland College

14
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College came in at #14 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Denison. There were roughly 54 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Grayson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $18,598 in their early career. Grayson College graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Grayson College

15
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College landed the #15 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Big Spring. Howard College awarded about 57 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $13,529 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,242. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Howard College

16
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX

Weatherford College landed the #16 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Weatherford College awarded about 67 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $48,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Weatherford College

17
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College earned the #17 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. There were roughly 89 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Odessa College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Odessa College graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Odessa College

18
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College came in at #18 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. There were roughly 121 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at South Plains College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program make about $11,557 in their early career. South Plains College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for South Plains College

19
Kilgore College crest
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX

Kilgore College came in at #19 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 86 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Kilgore College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Kilgore College earn around $15,957 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Kilgore College

20

Lamar State College Orange earned the #20 position for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. About 94 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees were awarded at Lamar State College Orange in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree from Lamar State College Orange earn around $45,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,506. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Lamar State College Orange

21
Palo Alto College crest
Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX

Palo Alto College placed #21 among the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. There were roughly 118 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Palo Alto College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Palo Alto College graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Read more about the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program at Palo Alto College

22

Northland Pioneer College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 37 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Northland Pioneer College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $44,117. Typical student debt for the program is $8,680. See the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist program report for Northland Pioneer College

23

Houston Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Houston Community College awarded about 63 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $16,075. Typical student debt for the program is $23,061. Get the full general cosmetology/cosmetologist details for Houston Community College

24

Trinity Valley Community College came in at #24 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Athens. There were roughly 82 general cosmetology/cosmetologist students who graduated with this degree at Trinity Valley Community College in the most recent data year. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $11,544 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Trinity Valley Community College

25
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #25 for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. Del Mar College awarded about 50 general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $13,099. Del Mar College graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist from Del Mar College

Rest of the Top 50 General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education:

26
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX
27
28
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM
29
30
31
32
33
Panola College crest
Panola College
Carthage, TX
34
Ranger College crest
Ranger College
Ranger, TX
35
36
Vernon College crest
Vernon College
Vernon, TX
37
38
39
Cisco College crest
Cisco College
Cisco, TX
40
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
41
42
43
Coastal Bend College crest
Coastal Bend College
Beeville, TX
44
Penrose Academy crest
Penrose Academy
Scottsdale, AZ
45
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools worth a look:

Narrow General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools by State

View All General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings >

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 · 174 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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