by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 88 U.S. colleges awarded 1,479 degrees and certificates in Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design. Certificates are the most popular award, at 94% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing, rising to $26,912 after four years.
A degree in Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design covers Hair Styling/stylist And Hair Design. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Shampoo, Cut, Style, Set, And Dress The Scalp Hair Of Women And/or Men, Braid Hair, Apply Hair Cosmetics And Wigs, And Prepare For Licensure As Professional Cosmetologists, Hairdressers, And Barbers At Various Levels. Includes Instruction In Hair Design Theory And Concepts, Hair Cleaning And Shampooing, Hair Coloring, Chemical Applications And Permanent Reconstructions, Hair Anatomy And Physiology, Scalp Diseases And Treatments, Wig And Hairpiece Fitting, Hair Braiding, Customer Service, Shop Management, Equipment Operation, Health And Safety, And Applicable Laws And Regulations. Examples: [Natural Hair Braider].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., hair styling/stylist & hair design draws strong interest, with 1,479 degrees awarded annually. 88 colleges award hair styling/stylist & hair design degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 237.
By level, the 1,479 awards include 1,389 certificates and 83 master’s degrees.
Women earned 79% of hair styling/stylist & hair design degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,172 of 1,479). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (665) and Hispanic or Latino (523), and international students earned 6.
The most common hair styling/stylist & hair design credential is the certificate: 1,389 of the 1,479 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to hair styling/stylist & hair design call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Service Orientation, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Arm-Hand Steadiness, Near Vision and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a hair styling/stylist & hair design degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,389 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 83 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to hair styling/stylist & hair design, at 59.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 59.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 8.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.7% |
| Master’s degree | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design, with an average median salary of $43,169; the strongest outlook belongs to Barbers, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Hair Cutter, Stylist, Hairstylist and Electrologist.
The occupation related to hair styling/stylist & hair design with the most projected jobs is Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, at 226,641.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 226,641 | -3.6% |
| Barbers | 168,368 | 10.7% |
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design graduates earn a median $17,621 one year after completing their program, $26,912 after four years and $22,624 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,621 |
| 4 years | $26,912 |
| 5 years | $22,624 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to hair styling/stylist & hair design, with a median salary of $47,321.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Barbers | $47,321 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,017 |
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design has 12 similar majors in the Personal & Culinary Services field, which together award 131,739 degrees a year; the largest are Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General (56,828), Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist (38,219) and Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist (14,526). Browse all Personal & Culinary Services majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 56,828 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 38,219 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,526 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,249 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,592 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,499 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 2,242 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,259 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 546 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 374 |
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