by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a cosmetology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find where cosmetology graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose cosmetology graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Washington. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Shoreline. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline typically earn about $33,492 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Gary Manuel Aveda Institute, which ranked #2. Gary Manuel Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Cosmetology graduates of Gary Manuel Aveda Institute earn a median of about $34,909 a year early in their careers.
Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Federal Way, Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way make a median of around $30,887 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Summit Salon Academy Tacoma, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tacoma, Summit Salon Academy Tacoma is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,174.
Paul Mitchell The School Spokane produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Spokane Valley, Paul Mitchell The School Spokane is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Spokane typically earn about $24,869 annually.
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus earned the #6 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Vancouver, Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,625.
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Everett, Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett earn a median of about $24,890 a year early in their careers.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Clover Park Technical College is a public school located in the city of Lakewood. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Clover Park Technical College make a median of around $23,492 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Richland placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Paul Mitchell The School Richland is a private for-profit school located in the city of Richland. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Richland earn a median of about $21,240 a year early in their careers.
Studio Beauty School landed the #10 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Studio Beauty School is a private for-profit school located in the city of Spokane Valley. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Studio Beauty School make a median of around $24,791 per year.
Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma earned the #11 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma earn a median of about $20,553 a year early in their careers.
Stylemaster College Of Hair Design landed the #12 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Longview, Stylemaster College Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Stylemaster College Of Hair Design earn a median of about $21,699 a year early in their careers.
Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #13 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the city of Kennewick. Cosmetology graduates of Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology earn a median of about $17,524 a year early in their careers.
Spokane Community College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Spokane Community College typically earn about $17,869 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 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.