1,281 schools · federal data
Cosmetology and barber schools compared
1,281 schools in our data award certificates or associate degrees in cosmetology and barbering: 1,268 certificate programs and 148 associate programs. Graduates of the typical certificate program earned $23,112 a year after finishing and $26,652 four years after.
What counts: the Department of Education groups programs by field, and this field covers cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology and makeup.
Where cosmetology and barbering graduates earn the most
Typical first-year earnings of certificate graduates, by state. Tap a state for its programs.
Certificate or associate degree?
| Certificate | Associate degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | 1,268 | 148 |
| Graduates in 2023-24 | 124,622 | 1,409 |
| Typical earnings 1 year after | $23,112 | $24,001 |
| Typical earnings 4 years after | $26,652 | $24,818 |
| Typical median debt | $7,652 | $15,313 |
In cosmetology and barbering, certificate and associate graduates started out earning about the same.
Highest-earning cosmetology and barbering certificate programs
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings one year after graduation.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose City CollegeSan Jose, CA | Community college | Certificate | 100 | $54,427 | $39,039 | n/a |
| The Esthetic InstituteVienna, VA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 146 | $44,457 | $38,044 | $6,333 |
| Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo, CA | Community college | Certificate | 148 | $39,816 | n/a | n/a |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute SeattleSeattle, WA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 155 | $39,239 | $43,507 | $7,916 |
| Indiana Wellness CollegeCarmel, IN | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 71 | $37,765 | n/a | $7,389 |
| Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-ShorelineShoreline, WA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 112 | $36,985 | $38,683 | $7,917 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Federal WayFederal Way, WA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 93 | $35,223 | $35,881 | $10,555 |
| San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology IncSan Francisco, CA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 184 | $34,512 | $38,673 | $6,333 |
| Cinta Aveda InstituteSan Francisco, CA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 120 | $34,358 | $37,484 | $6,333 |
| Lotus Professional CollegeRichmond, VA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 83 | $34,327 | n/a | $6,333 |
| Aveda Institute-DenverDenver, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 259 | $34,300 | $39,029 | $6,333 |
| Atelier Esthetique Institute of EstheticsNew York, NY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 267 | $33,910 | $28,224 | $6,333 |
| Trident Technical CollegeCharleston, SC | Community college | Certificate | 39 | $33,732 | $32,849 | n/a |
| New York School of Esthetics & Day Spawhite plains, NY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 175 | $33,352 | $26,735 | $6,333 |
| Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton, WI | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 57 | $33,330 | n/a | $5,500 |
Highest-earning cosmetology and barbering associate programs
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Park Technical CollegeLakewood, WA | Public technical school | Associate degree | 81 | $31,122 | $33,290 | n/a |
| Honolulu Community CollegeHonolulu, HI | Community college | Associate degree | 15 | $30,946 | n/a | n/a |
| Northeast Alabama Community CollegeRainsville, AL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 23 | $25,159 | n/a | $4,752 |
| Spokane Community CollegeSpokane, WA | Community college | Associate degree | 43 | $24,442 | n/a | $19,229 |
| Houston City CollegeHouston, TX | Community college | Associate degree | 35 | $24,421 | $22,631 | $18,626 |
| Douglas Education CenterMonessen, PA | For-profit trade school | Associate degree | 50 | $24,344 | $32,245 | $12,000 |
| Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte, NC | Community college | Associate degree | 18 | $24,015 | $26,550 | n/a |
| Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 18 | $24,001 | n/a | n/a |
| Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, NM | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 31 | $22,359 | $27,398 | n/a |
| Shelton State Community CollegeTuscaloosa, AL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 27 | $21,306 | n/a | n/a |
| Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville, NC | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 16 | $18,399 | n/a | n/a |
| Gadsden State Community CollegeGadsden, AL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 29 | $15,398 | $18,504 | n/a |
| Northwest Shoals Community CollegeMuscle Shoals, AL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 28 | $15,270 | n/a | n/a |
Largest cosmetology and barbering programs
By number of graduates in 2023-24.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUC UniversityBayamon, PR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 2,869 | $15,757 | $16,754 | $9,500 |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-CovingtonCovington, LA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 1,941 | $25,030 | $30,570 | $7,917 |
| Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-EverettEverett, WA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 994 | $30,234 | $33,219 | $6,802 |
| Douglas J Aveda InstituteEast Lansing, MI | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 832 | $23,801 | $29,047 | $6,333 |
| Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics Skin Care & MakeupNew York, NY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 786 | $29,931 | $25,760 | $5,307 |
| Aveda Institute-South FloridaDavie, FL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 746 | $25,355 | $28,861 | $6,333 |
| Celebrity School of BeautyMiami, FL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 582 | $22,585 | $16,441 | $6,333 |
| Aveda Institute-Tampa BayClearwater, FL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 557 | $26,605 | $30,853 | $6,333 |
| Asian-American International Beauty CollegeWestminster, CA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 548 | $16,654 | $19,354 | n/a |
| Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLCChandler, AZ | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 539 | $27,882 | $29,510 | $5,907 |
| Advance Beauty CollegeGarden Grove, CA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 483 | $20,439 | $19,196 | n/a |
| Milan Institute-ClovisClovis, CA | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 434 | $20,696 | $23,833 | $6,333 |
| Penrose AcademyScottsdale, AZ | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 419 | $31,291 | $32,738 | $6,333 |
| IBMC CollegeFort Collins, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 414 | $28,244 | $31,427 | $6,500 |
| Century CollegeSan Juan, PR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 401 | $12,256 | $14,237 | n/a |
Cosmetology and barber schools by state
Fewer than 3 schools: District of Columbia (2), Vermont (1), Wyoming (2). See each state's trade school page.
Frequently asked questions
How many cosmetology and barber schools are there?
1,281 schools on the College Scorecard awarded at least one cosmetology and barbering certificate or associate degree in the last two years we have data for: 1,268 certificate programs and 148 associate programs.
How much do cosmetology and barbering program graduates earn?
Graduates of the typical cosmetology and barbering certificate program earned a median of $23,112 one year after finishing and $26,652 four years after, in 2024 dollars. For associate degrees the one-year figure was $24,001. Pay varies a lot by school and state, so check the program tables.
Which cosmetology and barbering program has the highest earnings?
Among certificate programs with at least 10 graduates, San Jose City College in San Jose, CA had the highest median earnings one year after graduation: $54,427.
How much debt do cosmetology and barbering students take on?
At the typical certificate program, graduates who borrowed federal loans left with a median of $7,652. Many trade students borrow nothing, so check each school's net price and aid first.
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Plumbing · Carpentry · Construction trades · Auto and diesel mechanic · Heavy equipment mechanic · Truck driving (CDL) · Culinary arts · Medical assistant · LPN and CNA · Dental assisting and hygiene · Phlebotomy and medical lab · EMT, surgical tech and imaging · Medical billing and coding · Massage therapy · Paralegal
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.