by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their cosmetology graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 34 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.
Paul Mitchell The School Portsmouth tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools in the New England Region. Paul Mitchell The School Portsmouth is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Portsmouth typically earn about $35,706 annually.
Empire Beauty School Hooksett came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Empire Beauty School Hooksett is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hooksett. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Hooksett earn a median of about $33,430 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Empire Beauty School Laconia, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Laconia, Empire Beauty School Laconia is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,430.
Strong graduate earnings at North Shore Community College earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from North Shore Community College typically earn about $27,347 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Woburn, Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics earn a median of about $27,075 a year early in their careers.
Obriens Aveda Institute landed the #6 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Williston, Obriens Aveda Institute is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Obriens Aveda Institute earn a median of about $30,843 a year early in their careers.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester landed the #7 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester make a median of around $32,435 per year.
Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #8 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Newtown, Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology make a median of around $30,968 per year.
Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology came in at #9 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wallingford, Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology earn a median of about $28,180 a year early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School North Haven landed the #10 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of North Haven, Paul Mitchell The School North Haven is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School North Haven make a median of around $28,961 per year.
Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute landed the #11 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,171.
Spa Tech Institute Plymouth placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Plymouth, Spa Tech Institute Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Spa Tech Institute Plymouth earn a median of about $25,835 a year early in their careers.
Spa Tech Institute Westboro earned the #13 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Westborough, Spa Tech Institute Westboro is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Spa Tech Institute Westboro typically earn about $25,835 annually.
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook came in at #14 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Westbrook, Spa Tech Institute Westbrook is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Spa Tech Institute Westbrook make a median of around $25,835 per year.
Capilo School Of Hair Design ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Capilo School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the town of Augusta. Cosmetology graduates of Capilo School Of Hair Design earn a median of about $24,039 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Somersworth ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Somersworth, Empire Beauty School Somersworth is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,655.
International Institute Of Cosmetology placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Wethersfield, International Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of International Institute Of Cosmetology earn a median of about $23,053 a year early in their careers.
Eine Inc landed the #18 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Tewksbury, Eine Inc is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Eine Inc earn a median of about $20,496 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Warwick earned the #19 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Providence, Empire Beauty School Warwick is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School Warwick make a median of around $22,816 per year.
Empire Beauty School Maine earned the #20 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Empire Beauty School Maine is a private for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Maine typically earn about $22,913 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island came in at #21 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Cranston, Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,624.
New England Hair Academy came in at #22 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Malden, New England Hair Academy is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,978.
Jupiter Beauty Academy earned the #23 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Jupiter Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Jupiter Beauty Academy earn a median of about $25,998 a year early in their careers.
Rob Roy Academy Worcester landed the #24 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Rob Roy Academy Worcester is a private for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,386.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Cranston, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Cranston earn a median of about $22,908 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send cosmetology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 34 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.