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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 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 East Central Community College the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Mississippi. East Central Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Decatur. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,399.
A rank of #2 makes Northwest Mississippi Community College one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Northwest Mississippi Community College make a median of around $25,394 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Academy Of Hair Design Pearl one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Academy Of Hair Design Pearl is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pearl. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Pearl earn a median of about $24,575 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Meridian Community College one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Meridian Community College earn a median of about $20,611 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Delta Technical College earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Horn Lake, Delta Technical College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Delta Technical College typically earn about $23,357 annually.
Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology landed the #6 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology make a median of around $22,113 per year.
Chris Beauty College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Chris Beauty College is a private for-profit school located in the city of Gulfport. Cosmetology graduates of Chris Beauty College earn a median of about $23,318 a year early in their careers.
Blue Cliff College Gulfport landed the #8 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Gulfport, Blue Cliff College Gulfport is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Blue Cliff College Gulfport typically earn about $19,662 annually.
Hinds Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $16,611.
Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture earned the #10 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Laurel, Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture make a median of around $18,874 per year.
Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Corinth, Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,753.
Kcs School Of Hair Design landed the #12 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Pontotoc, Kcs School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Kcs School Of Hair Design typically earn about $19,889 annually.
Academy Of Hair Design Grenada ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Academy Of Hair Design Grenada is a private for-profit school located in the rural area of Grenada. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Grenada earn a median of about $18,407 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Hair Design Jackson ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Academy Of Hair Design Jackson is a private for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Academy Of Hair Design Jackson make a median of around $18,407 per year.
The Academy Of Hair Design Six earned the #15 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, The Academy Of Hair Design Six is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $16,339.
Coahoma Community College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of about $16,554 a year early in their careers.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from East Mississippi Community College make a median of around $12,972 per year.
Pearl River Community College earned the #18 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a public institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Pearl River Community College typically earn about $16,709 annually.
Jones County Junior College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Jones County Junior College is a public school located in the town of Ellisville. Cosmetology graduates of Jones County Junior College earn a median of about $10,046 a year early in their careers.
Traxlers School Of Hair earned the #20 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Traxlers School Of Hair is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Traxlers School Of Hair earn a median of about $9,525 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 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.