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2024 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools

36 Colleges in the United States
1,173 Associate Degrees
$16,507 Avg Early-Career Salary
Cosmetology is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #81 most popular associate degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 36 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,173 associate degrees in cosmetology to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Cosmetology School for Your Associate Degree

Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools Your choice of cosmetology for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Early-Career Salaries

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for cosmetology students working on their associate degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Cosmetology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Cosmetology in the United States

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for cosmetology students seeking a an associate degree.

10 Top Schools for an Associate in Cosmetology

1
94 Annual Graduates
$22,171 Median Starting Salary
$11,000 Median Student Debt

Clover Park Technical College is a great decision for students pursuing an associate degree in cosmetology. Located in the small city of Lakewood, CPTC is a public college with a small student population.

Associate recipients from the cosmetology major at Clover Park Technical College earn $5,664 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a associate in cosmetology from Clover Park Technical College

2
Saint Paul College crest
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, MN
5 Annual Graduates

Saint Paul College is a great decision for individuals pursuing an associate degree in cosmetology. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in cosmetology from Saint Paul College

3
53 Annual Graduates
$16,597 Median Starting Salary
$31,123 Median Student Debt

It's difficult to beat Houston Community College if you want to pursue an associate degree in cosmetology. Houston Community College is a very large public college located in the city of Houston.

Students who graduate with their associate from the cosmetology program state that they receive average early career earnings of $16,597.

More information about a associate in cosmetology from Houston Community College

4
14 Annual Graduates

Wake Technical Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in cosmetology. Wake Technical Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Raleigh.More information about a associate in cosmetology from Wake Technical Community College

5
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
21 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in cosmetology from Cerritos College

6
20 Annual Graduates

JCCC is a large public college located in the city of Overland Park.More information about a associate in cosmetology from Johnson County Community College

7

CNM is a large public college located in the city of Albuquerque.

Associate recipients from the cosmetology degree program at Central New Mexico Community College get $4,106 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a associate in cosmetology from Central New Mexico Community College

8

Located in the suburb of Pasadena, San Jacinto College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After graduation, cosmetology associate recipients typically make around $14,481 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in cosmetology from San Jacinto Community College

9

Located in the large city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their associate from the cosmetology program report average early career earnings of $18,217.

More information about a associate in cosmetology from Central Piedmont Community College

10
6 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Pewaukee, WCTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in cosmetology from Waukesha County Technical College

Cosmetology by Region

View the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of Personal & Culinary Services programs to choose from.

Cosmetology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist 884
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager 120
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist 66
Make-Up Artist/Specialist 60
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor 30
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician 6
Barbering/Barber 5
Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist 2

Majors Similar to Cosmetology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 6,800
Funeral & Mortuary Science 1,541
Other Personal & Culinary Services 1

Notes and References

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