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.
College Factual analyzed 19 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.
Our analysis ranked Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy the top school for cosmetology graduate earnings in Virginia. Located in the city of Reston, Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy make a median of around $38,226 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at The Esthetic Institute earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Set 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.
Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics earn a median of about $27,490 a year early in their careers.
Virginia School Of Hair Design produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set 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.
The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Chrysm Insitute Of Esthetics make a median of around $25,231 per year.
Rudy And Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School landed the #6 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Rudy And Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Rudy And Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School make a median of around $27,641 per year.
Paul Mitchell The School Mclean ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Paul Mitchell The School Mclean is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of McLean. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Mclean earn a median of about $28,477 a year early in their careers.
Culpeper Cosmetology Training Center placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the town of Culpeper, Culpeper Cosmetology Training Center is a public institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,937.
Paul Mitchell The School Roanoke placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Roanoke, Paul Mitchell The School Roanoke is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $20,761.
Career Training Solutions came in at #10 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, Career Training Solutions is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Career Training Solutions earn a median of about $21,099 a year early in their careers.
Staunton School Of Cosmetology ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Staunton, Staunton School Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,581.
Empire Beauty School Virginia Beach earned the #12 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Empire Beauty School Virginia Beach is a private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School Virginia Beach make a median of around $22,594 per year.
Avi Career Training placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Great Falls, Avi Career Training is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Avi Career Training make a median of around $24,030 per year.
Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,519.
Empire Beauty School Midlothian earned the #15 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Empire Beauty School Midlothian is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Midlothian. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Midlothian earn a median of about $22,409 a year early in their careers.
Empire Beauty School Newport News ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Newport News, Empire Beauty School Newport News is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Newport News typically earn about $22,409 annually.
Empire Beauty School Richmond ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, Empire Beauty School Richmond is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Richmond typically earn about $22,409 annually.
Tomorrows Image Barber And Beauty Academy Of Virginia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Tomorrows Image Barber And Beauty Academy Of Virginia is a private for-profit school located in the city of Newport News. Cosmetology graduates of Tomorrows Image Barber And Beauty Academy Of Virginia earn a median of about $11,572 a year early in their careers.
Another Level Barbering And Cosmetology School came in at #19 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Another Level Barbering And Cosmetology School is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Another Level Barbering And Cosmetology School make a median of around $11,506 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 19 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.