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 schools below stand out for the salaries their cosmetology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their cosmetology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose cosmetology graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Maryland. Set in the suburb of Linthicum, Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum typically earn about $27,921 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Paul Mitchell The School Jessup one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Jessup, Paul Mitchell The School Jessup is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,343.
A rank of #3 makes The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Frederick, The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,109.
The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Annapolis, The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,109.
A rank of #5 makes Aveda Institute Maryland one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Bel Air, Aveda Institute Maryland is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Aveda Institute Maryland typically earn about $28,770 annually.
Delmarva Beauty Academy earned the #6 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Salisbury, Delmarva Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,025.
Montgomery Beauty School placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Silver Spring, Montgomery Beauty School is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Montgomery Beauty School earn a median of about $22,199 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Glen Burnie ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Burnie, Empire Beauty School Glen Burnie is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Glen Burnie earn a median of about $21,931 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Owings Mills earned the #9 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Empire Beauty School Owings Mills is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School Owings Mills make a median of around $21,931 per year.
Hair Academy Inc New Carrollton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of New Carrollton, Hair Academy Inc New Carrollton is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Hair Academy Inc New Carrollton earn a median of about $19,808 a year early in their careers.
Aspen Beauty Academy Of Laurel ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Laurel, Aspen Beauty Academy Of Laurel is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Aspen Beauty Academy Of Laurel make a median of around $25,242 per year.
Award Beauty School landed the #12 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Award Beauty School is a private for-profit school located in the city of Hagerstown. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $15,710.
Hair Academy Ii ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Hillcrest Heights, Hair Academy Ii is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Hair Academy Ii make a median of around $14,785 per year.
Maryland Beauty Academy Of Essex earned the #14 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, Maryland Beauty Academy Of Essex is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Maryland Beauty Academy Of Essex typically earn about $13,002 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.