Cosmetology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1355 schools to find the best for cosmetology students.
Where you study cosmetology matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Cosmetology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Cosmetology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Cosmetology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Chippewa Valley Technical College tops our 2027 ranking of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 64 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $23,405 in their early career. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,395 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Chippewa Valley Technical College
Madison Area Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. About 25 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $22,152. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Madison Area Technical College
A rank of #3 makes Palm Beach State College one of the top schools for cosmetology. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Palm Beach State College awarded about 244 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Palm Beach State College earn around $24,361 in the first couple years of their career. Palm Beach State College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Palm Beach State College
Students looking for a strong cosmetology program will find one at Waukesha County Technical College, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pewaukee. There were roughly 72 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $27,049 early in their careers. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Waukesha County Technical College
Daytona State College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Daytona State College awarded about 139 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,807 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Daytona State College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #6 for cosmetology this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. About 53 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $18,294. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Regis College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Regis College graduates 71% of students within six years. About 46 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Regis College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $69,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Regis College
Gateway Technical College landed the #8 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. Gateway Technical College awarded about 128 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,958 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Gateway Technical College
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #9 among the best cosmetology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Warner Robins. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins awarded about 389 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn around $39,765 in the first couple years of their career. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins graduates carry a median of $7,217 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #10 spot for cosmetology this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. There were roughly 234 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Florida State College At Jacksonville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $29,668. Typical student debt for the program is $13,577.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Florida State College At Jacksonville
Pensacola State College earned the #11 position for cosmetology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Pensacola. Pensacola State College awarded about 200 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $23,911 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Pensacola State College
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #12 position for cosmetology this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 62 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $44,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,319.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Fox Valley Technical College
San Jose City College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose City College is a large public university. There were roughly 106 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at San Jose City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from San Jose City College generally make around $23,253.
See the full cosmetology program report for San Jose City College
Lee College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Lee College awarded about 113 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $14,727 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for Lee College
Mid State Technical College placed #15 among the best cosmetology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Mid State Technical College awarded about 55 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $17,385 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,081.
Get the full cosmetology details for Mid State Technical College
Trident Technical College placed #16 among the best cosmetology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charleston. There were roughly 49 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Trident Technical College in the most recent data year. Cosmetology graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete this degree.
Get the full cosmetology details for Trident Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. About 168 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $23,198. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Milwaukee Area Technical College
Johnson County Community College landed the #18 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. About 10 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Johnson County Community College earn around $21,250 in the first couple years of their career. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $5,424 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Johnson County Community College
South Georgia Technical College came in at #19 for cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 95 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $20,501 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete this degree.
See the full cosmetology program report for South Georgia Technical College
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 187 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,987. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #21 for cosmetology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Fennimore. About 27 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete this degree.
Get the full cosmetology details for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College placed #22 among the best cosmetology schools. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. Ogeechee Technical College awarded about 94 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Ogeechee Technical College earn around $17,660 in the first couple years of their career. Ogeechee Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Ogeechee Technical College
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #23 spot for cosmetology this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 77 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Central Piedmont Community College
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 32 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $39,552 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,471.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Moraine Park Technical College
Cape Fear Community College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. There were roughly 221 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Cape Fear Community College earn around $42,889 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,388.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Cape Fear Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1355 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
