by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their cosmetology graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying cosmetology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose cosmetology graduates go on to earn the most.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,168.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of about $29,690 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Sandhills Community College one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,677.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Eastern Wyoming College, which ranked #4. Eastern Wyoming College is a public school located in the town of Torrington. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College typically earn about $24,995 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Douglas Education Center earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Located in the town of Monessen, Douglas Education Center is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,715.
Clover Park Technical College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Clover Park Technical College make a median of around $23,492 per year.
Honolulu Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of about $20,863 a year early in their careers.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Central New Mexico Community College is a public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,742.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College typically earn about $19,107 annually.
Bevill State Community College landed the #10 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Bevill State Community College typically earn about $19,013 annually.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #11 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Central Carolina Community College is a public school located in the town of Sanford. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College typically earn about $18,683 annually.
Houston Community College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,810.
Clovis Community College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Clovis Community College make a median of around $17,809 per year.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #14 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of about $13,200 a year early in their careers.
Coahoma Community College came in at #15 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Coahoma Community College typically earn about $12,693 annually.
Riverside City College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Riverside City College typically earn about $12,552 annually.
Explore the highest-paying cosmetology schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their cosmetology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.