by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a cosmetology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 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.
Leading the list is Summit Salon Academy Portland, our #1 for cosmetology graduate salaries in Oregon. Located in the city of Tigard, Summit Salon Academy Portland is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,110.
A rank of #2 makes Aveda Institute Portland one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Portland, Aveda Institute Portland is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Aveda Institute Portland earn a median of about $28,625 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Phagans Beauty College earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Set in the city of Corvallis, Phagans Beauty College is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Phagans Beauty College earn a median of about $30,024 a year early in their careers.
Phagans School Of Beauty produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Phagans School Of Beauty is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,116.
Beau Monde College Of Hair Design Beau Monde Academy Of Cosmetology produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Beau Monde College Of Hair Design Beau Monde Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,169.
Northwest College Beaverton landed the #6 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Northwest College Beaverton is a private for-profit school located in the city of Beaverton. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,826.
Northwest College Clackamas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Northwest College Clackamas is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Happy Valley. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,826.
Northwest College Eugene earned the #8 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Northwest College Eugene is a private for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Northwest College Eugene make a median of around $24,826 per year.
Northwest College Medford landed the #9 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Medford, Northwest College Medford is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest College Medford earn a median of about $24,826 a year early in their careers.
Northwest College Tualatin came in at #10 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Tualatin, Northwest College Tualatin is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest College Tualatin earn a median of about $24,826 a year early in their careers.
Phagans School Of Hair Design came in at #11 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Phagans School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Happy Valley. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,011.
College Of Hair Design Careers landed the #12 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Salem, College Of Hair Design Careers is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of College Of Hair Design Careers earn a median of about $19,284 a year early in their careers.
Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College came in at #13 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bend, Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College typically earn about $20,701 annually.
Phagans Grants Pass College Of Beauty placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Phagans Grants Pass College Of Beauty is a private for-profit school located in the city of Grants Pass. Cosmetology graduates of Phagans Grants Pass College Of Beauty earn a median of about $17,216 a year early in their careers.
Phagans Medford Beauty School landed the #15 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Medford, Phagans Medford Beauty School is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Phagans Medford Beauty School earn a median of about $13,833 a year early in their careers.
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 · 15 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.