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 52 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Illinois. University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology typically earn about $34,757 annually.
G Skin And Beauty Institute came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Oakbrook, G Skin And Beauty Institute is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from G Skin And Beauty Institute typically earn about $33,521 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Aveda Institute Chicago earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Set in the city of Chicago, Aveda Institute Chicago is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,574.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College make a median of around $24,120 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Schaumburg, Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology typically earn about $27,906 annually.
University Of Spa And Cosmetology Arts placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Spa And Cosmetology Arts is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of University Of Spa And Cosmetology Arts earn a median of about $28,131 a year early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School Normal came in at #7 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Paul Mitchell The School Normal is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Normal earn a median of about $28,723 a year early in their careers.
Cameo Beauty Academy ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Cameo Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Oak Lawn. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Cameo Beauty Academy typically earn about $26,347 annually.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Elgin landed the #9 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Elgin is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Elgin typically earn about $27,134 annually.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville earned the #10 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Libertyville, Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville typically earn about $27,134 annually.
Cosmetology And Spa Academy landed the #11 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Crystal Lake, Cosmetology And Spa Academy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Cosmetology And Spa Academy make a median of around $22,096 per year.
Educators Of Beauty College Of Cosmetology La Salle came in at #12 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of PERU, Educators Of Beauty College Of Cosmetology La Salle is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,829.
Pivot Point Academy ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Bloomingdale, Pivot Point Academy is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Pivot Point Academy typically earn about $24,850 annually.
Universal Spa Training Academy came in at #14 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Downers Grove, Universal Spa Training Academy is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Universal Spa Training Academy typically earn about $26,182 annually.
Hair Professionals School Of Cosmetology earned the #15 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Oswego, Hair Professionals School Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Hair Professionals School Of Cosmetology typically earn about $23,149 annually.
Bell Mar Beauty College earned the #16 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Bell Mar Beauty College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Bell Mar Beauty College typically earn about $20,849 annually.
Lake Land College came in at #17 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Lake Land College is a public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Lake Land College typically earn about $31,004 annually.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Chicago Ne came in at #18 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Chicago Ne is a private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Chicago Ne make a median of around $30,325 per year.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Glendale Heights earned the #19 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale Heights, Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Glendale Heights is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,325.
Estelle Skin Care And Spa Institute landed the #20 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Estelle Skin Care And Spa Institute is a private for-profit school located in the city of Skokie. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,047.
Paul Mitchell The School Chicago came in at #21 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Paul Mitchell The School Chicago is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School Chicago make a median of around $23,886 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Lombard came in at #22 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Lombard, Paul Mitchell The School Lombard is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Lombard typically earn about $23,886 annually.
Professionals Choice Hair Design Academy ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Professionals Choice Hair Design Academy is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Professionals Choice Hair Design Academy typically earn about $20,838 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Bradley ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Paul Mitchell The School Bradley is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School Bradley make a median of around $22,958 per year.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Chicago Nw placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Chicago, Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Chicago Nw is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Chicago Nw make a median of around $26,907 per year.
These schools also send cosmetology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 52 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.