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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 20 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.
For graduate earnings in cosmetology, no school beat Paul Mitchell The School St Louis this year. Located in the city of St. Louis, Paul Mitchell The School St Louis is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School St Louis earn a median of about $32,652 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at The Salon Professional Academy St Charles earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. The Salon Professional Academy St Charles is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Charles. Early-career cosmetology graduates from The Salon Professional Academy St Charles make a median of around $30,002 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Skin Institute earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Skin Institute is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Skin Institute make a median of around $32,174 per year.
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Blue Springs came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Springs, House Of Heavilin Beauty College Blue Springs is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from House Of Heavilin Beauty College Blue Springs typically earn about $26,924 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at Independence College Of Cosmetology, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Independence, Independence College Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Independence College Of Cosmetology make a median of around $18,298 per year.
Grabber School Of Hair Design came in at #6 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Grabber School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Grabber School Of Hair Design earn a median of about $25,724 a year early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for cosmetology salaries this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $25,612 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Hair Design Springfield earned the #8 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Academy Of Hair Design Springfield is a private for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Springfield earn a median of about $23,599 a year early in their careers.
Warrensburg Area Career Center ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Warrensburg Area Career Center is a public school located in the town of Warrensburg. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Warrensburg Area Career Center typically earn about $18,240 annually.
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore earned the #10 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Raymore, House Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from House Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore typically earn about $25,390 annually.
Merrell University Of Beauty Arts And Science placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Merrell University Of Beauty Arts And Science is a private for-profit school located in the city of Jefferson City. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Merrell University Of Beauty Arts And Science typically earn about $23,251 annually.
Salem College Of Hairstyling ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Salem College Of Hairstyling is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Salem College Of Hairstyling make a median of around $20,888 per year.
City Pointe Beauty Academy came in at #13 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Webb City, City Pointe Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from City Pointe Beauty Academy typically earn about $23,765 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Springfield ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Paul Mitchell The School Springfield is a private for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell The School Springfield make a median of around $19,597 per year.
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City earned the #15 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City earn a median of about $21,148 a year early in their careers.
Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Springfield, Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,357.
Central College Of Cosmetology ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Central College Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school located in the town of Saint Robert. Cosmetology graduates of Central College Of Cosmetology earn a median of about $17,893 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Salon Professionals placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Academy Of Salon Professionals is a private for-profit school located in the town of Sedalia. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Academy Of Salon Professionals make a median of around $19,047 per year.
Trend Setters School earned the #19 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Trend Setters School is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Trend Setters School make a median of around $16,359 per year.
New Dimensions School Of Hair Design came in at #20 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. New Dimensions School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school located in the city of Joplin. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $15,254.
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.