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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying cosmetology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send cosmetology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology, our #1 for cosmetology graduate salaries in Connecticut. Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Newtown. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology make a median of around $30,968 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology, which ranked #2. Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Wallingford. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,180.
Paul Mitchell The School North Haven came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of North Haven, Paul Mitchell The School North Haven is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,961.
Strong graduate earnings at International Institute Of Cosmetology earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Wethersfield, International Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,053.
Strong graduate earnings at Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Seymour, Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc make a median of around $16,963 per year.
Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Branford. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $15,931.
Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport earned the #7 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport is a private for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport typically earn about $15,931 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 · 7 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.