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.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying cosmetology schools.
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If you want to know which schools send cosmetology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in cosmetology, no school beat Trinidad State Junior College this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a public school located in the town of Trinidad. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,270.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Aveda Institute Denver, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Denver, Aveda Institute Denver is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Aveda Institute Denver earn a median of about $33,463 a year early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School Denver produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Paul Mitchell The School Denver is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School Denver make a median of around $29,387 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Institute Of Business And Medical Careers one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Institute Of Business And Medical Careers is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Institute Of Business And Medical Careers make a median of around $28,738 per year.
Xenon International Academy Denver came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Aurora, Xenon International Academy Denver is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Xenon International Academy Denver typically earn about $31,422 annually.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Colorado Springs ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Colorado Springs typically earn about $24,576 annually.
Cheeks International Academy Of Beauty Culture Fort Collins came in at #7 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Cheeks International Academy Of Beauty Culture Fort Collins is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Loveland. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Cheeks International Academy Of Beauty Culture Fort Collins typically earn about $25,578 annually.
Pickens Technical College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Pickens Technical College is a public school located in the city of Aurora. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Pickens Technical College make a median of around $21,697 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Colorado Springs landed the #9 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Paul Mitchell The School Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School Colorado Springs make a median of around $23,941 per year.
Northeastern Junior College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Northeastern Junior College earn a median of about $19,687 a year early in their careers.
The Salon Professional Academy Colorado Springs placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. The Salon Professional Academy Colorado Springs is a private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,340.
United Beauty College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Denver, United Beauty College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from United Beauty College typically earn about $23,790 annually.
Delta Montrose Technical College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the rural area of Delta, Delta Montrose Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Delta Montrose Technical College typically earn about $24,709 annually.
Emily Griffith Technical College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Denver, Emily Griffith Technical College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Emily Griffith Technical College make a median of around $20,014 per year.
International Salon And Spa Academy landed the #15 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. International Salon And Spa Academy is a private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from International Salon And Spa Academy typically earn about $24,405 annually.
Stacey James Institute placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Parker, Stacey James Institute is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Stacey James Institute earn a median of about $19,659 a year early in their careers.
Intellitec College Grand Junction ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Intellitec College Grand Junction is a private for-profit school located in the city of Grand Junction. Cosmetology graduates of Intellitec College Grand Junction earn a median of about $20,514 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Thornton came in at #18 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Thornton, Empire Beauty School Thornton is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School Thornton make a median of around $21,000 per year.
Empire Beauty School Aurora placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Empire Beauty School Aurora is a private for-profit school located in the city of Aurora. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Aurora earn a median of about $19,913 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Littleton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Empire Beauty School Littleton is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Littleton. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Littleton typically earn about $19,913 annually.
Pueblo Community College earned the #21 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $12,890.
This list is compiled 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 · 21 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.