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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their cosmetology graduates.
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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 Gateway Community College Central City, our #1 for cosmetology graduate salaries in Arizona. Gateway Community College Central City is a public school located in the city of Phoenix. Cosmetology graduates of Gateway Community College Central City earn a median of about $27,549 a year early in their careers.
Penrose Academy came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Penrose Academy make a median of around $32,167 per year.
Southwest Institute Of Healing Arts came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Southwest Institute Of Healing Arts is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Southwest Institute Of Healing Arts typically earn about $26,798 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Aveda Institute Phoenix, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tempe, Aveda Institute Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,501.
Aveda Institute Tucson produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Aveda Institute Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,501.
Pure Aesthetics placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Tucson, Pure Aesthetics is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Pure Aesthetics make a median of around $29,730 per year.
Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa is a private for-profit school located in the city of Mesa. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa typically earn about $29,008 annually.
Avalon School Of Cosmetology Phoenix ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Avalon School Of Cosmetology Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Avalon School Of Cosmetology Phoenix typically earn about $29,008 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix came in at #9 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix is a private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,403.
Studio Academy Of Beauty came in at #10 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Studio Academy Of Beauty is a private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Studio Academy Of Beauty typically earn about $25,548 annually.
International Barber College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. International Barber College is a private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from International Barber College typically earn about $22,925 annually.
Tucson College Of Beauty earned the #12 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Tucson College Of Beauty is a private for-profit school located in the city of Tucson. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Tucson College Of Beauty typically earn about $25,316 annually.
Empire Beauty School Avondale came in at #13 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Empire Beauty School Avondale is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Avondale typically earn about $22,816 annually.
Empire Beauty School Tucson ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Empire Beauty School Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,931.
Empire Beauty School Chandler ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Empire Beauty School Chandler is a private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School Chandler make a median of around $22,409 per year.
East Valley Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Mesa, East Valley Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Cosmetology graduates of East Valley Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $18,159 a year early in their careers.
Arizona Academy Of Beauty East placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Arizona Academy Of Beauty East is a private for-profit school located in the city of Tucson. Cosmetology graduates of Arizona Academy Of Beauty East earn a median of about $15,828 a year early in their careers.
Charles Of Italy Beauty College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Lake Havasu City, Charles Of Italy Beauty College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Charles Of Italy Beauty College typically earn about $20,852 annually.
Turning Point Beauty College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Turning Point Beauty College is a private for-profit school located in the rural area of Chandler. Cosmetology graduates of Turning Point Beauty College earn a median of about $14,374 a year early in their careers.
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.