by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 98 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.
The Salon Professional Academy San Jose tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools in California. Set in the city of San Jose, The Salon Professional Academy San Jose is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Salon Professional Academy San Jose make a median of around $21,974 per year.
San Jose City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. San Jose City College is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Cosmetology graduates of San Jose City College earn a median of about $23,253 a year early in their careers.
San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Cosmetology graduates of San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc earn a median of about $28,410 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Santa Fe Springs, Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy make a median of around $28,808 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Pomona Unified School District Adult And Career Education earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Pomona, Pomona Unified School District Adult And Career Education is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Pomona Unified School District Adult And Career Education earn a median of about $21,800 a year early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School East Bay ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Paul Mitchell The School East Bay is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School East Bay typically earn about $27,442 annually.
Institute Of Technology Inc ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Institute Of Technology Inc earn a median of about $21,184 a year early in their careers.
Mti College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, Mti College is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Mti College make a median of around $20,434 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School North Tahoe placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Paul Mitchell The School North Tahoe is a private for-profit school located in the town of Truckee. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School North Tahoe make a median of around $22,895 per year.
Cinta Aveda Institute placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Cinta Aveda Institute typically earn about $24,611 annually.
Moler Barber College Oakland placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Oakland, Moler Barber College Oakland is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,164.
Shasta School Of Cosmetology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Shasta School Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the city of Redding. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Shasta School Of Cosmetology typically earn about $20,144 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Costa Mesa typically earn about $25,624 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School San Diego landed the #14 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Paul Mitchell The School San Diego is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School San Diego earn a median of about $25,624 a year early in their careers.
California College Of Barbering And Cosmetology earned the #15 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. California College Of Barbering And Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from California College Of Barbering And Cosmetology typically earn about $20,065 annually.
Hoss Lee Academy landed the #16 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Roseville, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Hoss Lee Academy make a median of around $19,797 per year.
Bellus Academy Poway placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Poway, Bellus Academy Poway is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Bellus Academy Poway typically earn about $22,442 annually.
Federico Beauty Institute ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, Federico Beauty Institute is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,528.
Palomar Institute Of Cosmetology ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Palomar Institute Of Cosmetology earn a median of about $22,861 a year early in their careers.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education earned the #20 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,262.
Citrus Heights Beauty College landed the #21 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Citrus Heights Beauty College is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Citrus Heights. Cosmetology graduates of Citrus Heights Beauty College earn a median of about $23,755 a year early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School Modesto ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Paul Mitchell The School Modesto is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Modesto typically earn about $17,809 annually.
Hilltop Beauty School earned the #23 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Hilltop Beauty School make a median of around $23,514 per year.
Elite Cosmetology School ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of PALM DESERT, Elite Cosmetology School is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Elite Cosmetology School typically earn about $22,732 annually.
W Academy Of Salon And Spa ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. W Academy Of Salon And Spa is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Danville. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,349.
These schools also send cosmetology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries cosmetology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 98 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.