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 26 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 Waukesha County Technical College the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Wisconsin. Waukesha County Technical College is a public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Cosmetology graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of about $27,049 a year early in their careers.
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Onalaska, The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska typically earn about $29,896 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Aveda Institute Madison, which ranked #3. Aveda Institute Madison is a private for-profit school located in the city of Madison. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,826.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Milwaukee, The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness typically earn about $29,826 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha, which ranked #5. The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha is a private for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha earn a median of about $32,155 a year early in their careers.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #6 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College typically earn about $29,373 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Madison landed the #7 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Paul Mitchell The School Madison is a private for-profit school located in the city of Madison. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Madison typically earn about $29,114 annually.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #8 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of about $27,922 a year early in their careers.
Vici Beauty School landed the #9 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Vici Beauty School is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenfield. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Vici Beauty School typically earn about $30,010 annually.
State College Of Beauty Culture Inc earned the #10 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. State College Of Beauty Culture Inc is a private for-profit school located in the city of Wausau. Early-career cosmetology graduates from State College Of Beauty Culture Inc make a median of around $24,688 per year.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,503.
Gateway Technical College earned the #12 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of about $23,722 a year early in their careers.
The Salon Professional Academy Appleton came in at #13 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. The Salon Professional Academy Appleton is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Appleton. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Salon Professional Academy Appleton make a median of around $31,136 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee typically earn about $28,576 annually.
First Class Cosmetology School ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. First Class Cosmetology School is a private for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. Cosmetology graduates of First Class Cosmetology School earn a median of about $21,506 a year early in their careers.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Madison Area Technical College is a public school located in the city of Madison. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Madison Area Technical College make a median of around $22,152 per year.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #17 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College make a median of around $27,307 per year.
The Professional Hair Design Academy earned the #18 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Eau Claire, The Professional Hair Design Academy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Professional Hair Design Academy make a median of around $21,659 per year.
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Appleton came in at #19 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Appleton is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Appleton earn a median of about $25,390 a year early in their careers.
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Green Bay earned the #20 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Green Bay is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Green Bay typically earn about $25,390 annually.
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Madison earned the #21 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Madison is a private for-profit school located in the city of Madison. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,390.
Advanced College Of Cosmetology came in at #22 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Waupun, Advanced College Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Advanced College Of Cosmetology typically earn about $21,100 annually.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville landed the #23 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville is a private for-profit school located in the city of Janesville. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville make a median of around $20,953 per year.
Empire Beauty School Green Bay placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Ashwaubenon, Empire Beauty School Green Bay is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,816.
Empire Beauty School Milwaukee placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Empire Beauty School Milwaukee is a private for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Milwaukee typically earn about $22,816 annually.
These schools also send cosmetology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 26 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.