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.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying cosmetology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send cosmetology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Aveda Institute Des Moines tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools in Iowa. Located in the city of West Des Moines, Aveda Institute Des Moines is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Aveda Institute Des Moines earn a median of about $39,184 a year early in their careers.
La James International College Ft Dodge produces some of the highest-paid graduates in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, La James International College Ft Dodge is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from La James International College Ft Dodge make a median of around $28,554 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Pci Academy Ames, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ames, Pci Academy Ames is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,439.
Pci Academy Iowa City came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, Pci Academy Iowa City is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,439.
La James International College Cedar Falls came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, La James International College Cedar Falls is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of La James International College Cedar Falls earn a median of about $25,491 a year early in their careers.
Capri College Cedar Rapids came in at #6 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Capri College Cedar Rapids is a private for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,452.
Capri College Davenport landed the #7 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Capri College Davenport is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Capri College Davenport typically earn about $28,743 annually.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earned the #8 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earn a median of about $29,143 a year early in their careers.
Capri College Dubuque landed the #9 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Capri College Dubuque is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Capri College Dubuque make a median of around $25,665 per year.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology earned the #10 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Mason City, La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology make a median of around $19,351 per year.
La James International College Johnston came in at #11 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Johnston, La James International College Johnston is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,479.
E Q School Of Hair Design landed the #12 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, E Q School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of E Q School Of Hair Design earn a median of about $28,780 a year early in their careers.
La James International College Davenport landed the #13 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Davenport, La James International College Davenport is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from La James International College Davenport typically earn about $25,545 annually.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the town of Spirit Lake, Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake earn a median of about $20,098 a year early in their careers.
Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City landed the #15 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City earn a median of about $20,000 a year early in their careers.
American Hair Academy landed the #16 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. American Hair Academy is a private for-profit school located in the town of Mt. Pleasant. Cosmetology graduates of American Hair Academy earn a median of about $23,161 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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.