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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 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 Paul Mitchell The School Boise the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Idaho. Set in the city of Boise, Paul Mitchell The School Boise is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School Boise make a median of around $23,084 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Nampa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Paul Mitchell The School Nampa is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,084.
Strong graduate earnings at Headmasters School Of Hair Design earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Headmasters School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Headmasters School Of Hair Design typically earn about $26,515 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Boise. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology make a median of around $22,281 per year.
Aveda Institute Boise came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Boise, Aveda Institute Boise is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute Boise make a median of around $25,092 per year.
Boise Barber College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Boise Barber College is a private for-profit school located in the city of Boise. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Boise Barber College make a median of around $19,674 per year.
The Salon Professional Academy Nampa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Nampa, The Salon Professional Academy Nampa is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Nampa typically earn about $21,920 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg earned the #8 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg earn a median of about $21,482 a year early in their careers.
Idaho State University landed the #9 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $18,069.
Aveda Institute Twin Falls earned the #10 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, Aveda Institute Twin Falls is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute Twin Falls make a median of around $16,159 per year.
Evans Hairstyling College Rexburg placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Evans Hairstyling College Rexburg is a private for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $13,603.
D And L Academy Of Hair Design came in at #12 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. D And L Academy Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the city of TWIN FALLS. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from D And L Academy Of Hair Design typically earn about $11,717 annually.
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 · 12 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.