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 highest-paying schools turn a cosmetology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find where cosmetology graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose cosmetology graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Esthetics Institute the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in South Carolina. Located in the city of Elgin, Southeastern Esthetics Institute is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Southeastern Esthetics Institute make a median of around $21,547 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia, which ranked #2. Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbia. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia make a median of around $24,328 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Columbia one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Columbia, Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,328.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek, which ranked #4. Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Goose Creek. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek typically earn about $24,328 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Spartanburg one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Spartanburg is a private for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Spartanburg typically earn about $24,328 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Charleston placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Paul Mitchell The School Charleston is a private for-profit school located in the city of North Charleston. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Charleston typically earn about $23,322 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Columbia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Paul Mitchell The School Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,322.
Paul Mitchell The School Greenville landed the #8 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Paul Mitchell The School Greenville is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Greenville earn a median of about $23,322 a year early in their careers.
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Greenville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Greenville is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Greenville typically earn about $21,821 annually.
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill earn a median of about $21,821 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Hair Technology earned the #11 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Academy Of Hair Technology is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Technology earn a median of about $20,601 a year early in their careers.
Greenville Technical College came in at #12 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Greenville Technical College is a public school located in the city of Greenville. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Greenville Technical College make a median of around $25,889 per year.
Charleston Cosmetology Institute placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Charleston Cosmetology Institute is a private for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Charleston Cosmetology Institute typically earn about $19,805 annually.
Legrand Institute Of Cosmetology Inc ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Legrand Institute Of Cosmetology Inc is a private for-profit school located in the town of Camden. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,906.
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Florence landed the #15 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Florence is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Florence typically earn about $16,587 annually.
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of North Augusta. Cosmetology graduates of Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta earn a median of about $16,587 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 · 16 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.