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 highest-paying schools turn a cosmetology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 100 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.
For graduate earnings in cosmetology, no school beat Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Stevensons Academy Of Hair Design make a median of around $33,650 per year.
The Salon Professional Academy Nashville produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. The Salon Professional Academy Nashville is a private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Salon Professional Academy Nashville make a median of around $35,780 per year.
East Central Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,399.
Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy is a private for-profit school located in the city of Reston. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy typically earn about $38,226 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at The Esthetic Institute, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Vienna, The Esthetic Institute is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Esthetic Institute make a median of around $29,301 per year.
Palm Beach State College earned the #6 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Palm Beach State College make a median of around $35,090 per year.
Cozmo Beauty School placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Cozmo Beauty School is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bonita Springs. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Cozmo Beauty School typically earn about $27,678 annually.
Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics landed the #8 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics typically earn about $27,490 annually.
Fortis Institute Pensacola earned the #9 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Fortis Institute Pensacola is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Fortis Institute Pensacola make a median of around $27,008 per year.
Gaston College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Gaston College is a public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Gaston College make a median of around $27,008 per year.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #11 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of about $29,690 a year early in their careers.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,869.
Wake Technical Community College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of about $29,405 a year early in their careers.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #14 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a public school located in the city of Warner Robins. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins typically earn about $25,294 annually.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Cosmetology graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of about $25,174 a year early in their careers.
Virginia School Of Hair Design ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Virginia School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Virginia School Of Hair Design make a median of around $25,124 per year.
Aveda Institute Chapel Hill landed the #17 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, Aveda Institute Chapel Hill is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute Chapel Hill make a median of around $29,975 per year.
Lanier Technical College came in at #18 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Lanier Technical College make a median of around $27,983 per year.
Cape Fear Community College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Cape Fear Community College is a public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,537.
Sandhills Community College came in at #20 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Sandhills Community College typically earn about $26,677 annually.
The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics came in at #21 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics typically earn about $25,231 annually.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #22 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Rowan Cabarrus Community College make a median of around $26,704 per year.
The Salon Professional Academy Ft Myers came in at #23 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Myers, The Salon Professional Academy Ft Myers is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Ft Myers earn a median of about $24,193 a year early in their careers.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #24 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Bluegrass Community And Technical College make a median of around $24,172 per year.
Columbus Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Columbus Technical College is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Columbus Technical College make a median of around $31,036 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid cosmetology ranking:
The following schools rounded out the strongest cosmetology earnings:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro Nashville | Powder Springs, TN | $24,201 | Full Report |
| #52 | Pjs College Of Cosmetology Bowling Green | Bowling Green, KY | $22,938 | Full Report |
A few more high-earning cosmetology schools worth a look:
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 · 100 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.