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 3 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.
Leading the list is Spa Tech Institute Westbrook, our #1 for cosmetology graduate salaries in Maine. Set in the suburb of Westbrook, Spa Tech Institute Westbrook is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,835.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Capilo School Of Hair Design, which ranked #2. Capilo School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the town of Augusta. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Capilo School Of Hair Design typically earn about $24,039 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Empire Beauty School Maine earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Set in the city of Bangor, Empire Beauty School Maine is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Maine typically earn about $22,913 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 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.