2027 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Cosmetology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 132 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for cosmetology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Cosmetology in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
Top Schools in Cosmetology
No school ranked higher than Community College Of Allegheny County this year for cosmetology. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. About 13 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Community College Of Allegheny County earn around $47,420 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Community College Of Allegheny County
A rank of #2 makes Artistic Academy Of Hair Design one of the top schools for cosmetology. Artistic Academy Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Morris Plains. Artistic Academy Of Hair Design awarded about 85 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Artistic Academy Of Hair Design earn around $17,274 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Artistic Academy Of Hair Design
Innovate Salon Academy is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of South Plainfield, Innovate Salon Academy is a small private for-profit university. Innovate Salon Academy awarded about 252 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Innovate Salon Academy generally make around $16,420. Innovate Salon Academy graduates carry a median of $7,667 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Innovate Salon Academy
Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #4. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Nanuet. Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers awarded about 332 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers earn around $17,982 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,915 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers
Parisian Beauty School is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cosmetology, ranking #5. Parisian Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackensack. There were roughly 356 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Parisian Beauty School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Parisian Beauty School generally make around $15,517. Parisian Beauty School graduates carry a median of $9,083 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Parisian Beauty School
South Hills Beauty Academy Inc landed the #6 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 163 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $20,852 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,662.
Read more about the cosmetology program at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc
Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork earned the #7 position for cosmetology this year. Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. There were roughly 148 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork earn around $19,624 in the first couple years of their career. Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork graduates carry a median of $7,208 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork
Aesthetic Science Institute earned the #8 position for cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Latham, Aesthetic Science Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Aesthetic Science Institute awarded about 188 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Aesthetic Science Institute generally make around $22,638. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Aesthetic Science Institute
Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness came in at #9 for cosmetology this year. Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Voorhees. About 301 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness in the most recent year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $16,954 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,333.
Get the full cosmetology details for Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness
Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady landed the #10 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 96 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady earn around $17,570 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,407.
Get the full cosmetology details for Paul Mitchell The School Schenectady
New York Institute Of Beauty landed the #11 spot for cosmetology this year. New York Institute Of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Islandia. There were roughly 175 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at New York Institute Of Beauty in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from New York Institute Of Beauty earn around $18,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,062.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from New York Institute Of Beauty
The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Tonawanda, The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda is a small private for-profit university. About 137 cosmetology degrees were awarded at The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda earn a median of $17,534 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,667 to complete this degree.
Get the full cosmetology details for The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda
Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics placed #13 among the best cosmetology schools. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics awarded about 302 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics earn around $21,516 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,333.
Get the full cosmetology details for Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics
Academy Of Massage And Bodywork placed #14 among the best cosmetology schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bear. Academy Of Massage And Bodywork awarded about 49 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Academy Of Massage And Bodywork generally make around $18,223. Academy Of Massage And Bodywork graduates carry a median of $6,376 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Academy Of Massage And Bodywork
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of North Plainfield, Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield is a small private for-profit institution. About 162 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield earn around $22,676 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,248.
See the full cosmetology program report for Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield
Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology came in at #16 for cosmetology this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wayne. Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology awarded about 290 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $18,519 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,211 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Christine Valmy International School Of Esthetics And Cosmetology
Arrojo Cosmetology School ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the city of New York, Arrojo Cosmetology School is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 104 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Arrojo Cosmetology School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $18,528 in their early career. Arrojo Cosmetology School graduates carry a median of $10,666 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Arrojo Cosmetology School
Douglas Education Center placed #18 among the best cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Monessen, Douglas Education Center is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 122 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Douglas Education Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Douglas Education Center earn around $19,940 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,823.
Get the full cosmetology details for Douglas Education Center
New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa landed the #19 spot for cosmetology this year. Located in the city of white plains, New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 126 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $20,531 in their early career. New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans.
Read more about the cosmetology program at New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa
Erie 1 Boces came in at #20 for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of West Seneca, Erie 1 Boces is a small public university. Erie 1 Boces awarded about 151 cosmetology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $15,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cosmetology from Erie 1 Boces
Innovate Salon Academy Ewing ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Ewing, Innovate Salon Academy Ewing is a small private for-profit university. About 122 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Innovate Salon Academy Ewing in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Innovate Salon Academy Ewing generally make around $16,420. Innovate Salon Academy Ewing graduates carry a median of $7,667 in student loans.
See the full cosmetology program report for Innovate Salon Academy Ewing
Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum earned the #22 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Linthicum, Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum is a small private for-profit university. About 154 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum in the most recent year. Students who receive their cosmetology degree from Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum earn around $20,754 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,917.
See the full cosmetology program report for Baltimore School Of Massage Linthicum
Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute earned the #23 position for cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Bethpage, Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 281 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cosmetology program make about $15,644 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,333.
See the full cosmetology program report for Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute
Fountain Of Youth Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #24 for cosmetology this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. There were roughly 59 cosmetology students who graduated with this degree at Fountain Of Youth Academy Of Cosmetology in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,386.
Read more about the cosmetology program at Fountain Of Youth Academy Of Cosmetology
Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany Boces ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best cosmetology schools. Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany Boces is a small public school located in the rural area of Elmira. About 47 cosmetology degrees were awarded at Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany Boces in the most recent year. Cosmetology graduates of Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany Boces earn a median of $22,221 early in their careers. Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany Boces graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
Get the full cosmetology details for Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany Boces
Rest of the Top 50 Cosmetology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for cosmetology this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 132 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
