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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where cosmetology graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send cosmetology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville, our #1 for cosmetology graduate salaries in Alabama. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville make a median of around $25,174 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Gadsden State Community College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Gadsden State Community College is a public school located in the city of Gadsden. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Gadsden State Community College make a median of around $24,629 per year.
The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville earn a median of about $29,921 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Blue Cliff Career College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Mobile, Blue Cliff Career College is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,661.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $20,290.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #6 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public school located in the city of Dothan. Early-career cosmetology graduates from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan make a median of around $19,828 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham came in at #7 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hoover, Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham typically earn about $24,495 annually.
University Academy Of Hair Design earned the #8 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. University Academy Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $18,879.
Bevill State Community College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Bevill State Community College make a median of around $18,197 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Huntsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Madison, Paul Mitchell The School Huntsville is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Huntsville typically earn about $19,578 annually.
Remington College Mobile Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Mobile, Remington College Mobile Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Remington College Mobile Campus typically earn about $19,687 annually.
Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology landed the #12 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $16,328.
Brown Beauty Barber School came in at #13 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Bessemer, Brown Beauty Barber School is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Brown Beauty Barber School earn a median of about $16,147 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 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.