22 schools · Arkansas
Cosmetology and barber schools in Arkansas
22 schools in Arkansas offer cosmetology and barbering programs (10 of them public), with 22 certificate and 2 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $21,378 a year after finishing, compared with $23,112 nationally.
All cosmetology and barbering programs in Arkansas
Sorted by earnings one year after graduation. Click a heading to sort; tuition is the school's yearly tuition and fees (2025-26), in-state for public schools.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt | School tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Mitchell the School-ArkansasFayetteville, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 65 | $26,084 | $28,305 | $9,833 | $16,075 |
| Arthur's Beauty CollegeJonesboro, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 33 | $23,169 | $24,212 | $13,604 | $17,348 |
| Designer Barber & Stylist SchoolFort Smith, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 57 | $22,957 | $19,981 | $9,500 | $16,325 |
| Arthur's Beauty CollegeConway, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 24 | $22,075 | $28,070 | $9,833 | $17,348 |
| Career Academy of Hair DesignSpringdale, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 184 | $21,721 | $26,414 | $5,481 | $18,195 |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeNorth Little Rock, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 28 | $21,630 | n/a | n/a | $5,208 |
| Academy of Professional CosmetologyRogers, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 97 | $21,125 | $13,595 | $6,333 | $7,260 |
| The Salon Professional AcademySherwood, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 87 | $21,073 | $27,746 | $9,833 | $18,100 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Little RockNorth Little Rock, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 247 | $20,075 | $23,265 | $9,833 | $8,270 |
| Arkansas Beauty CollegeRussellville, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 19 | $18,840 | n/a | n/a | $15,000 |
| Searcy Beauty CollegeSearcy, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 23 | $17,407 | $16,558 | $9,833 | $16,000 |
| Academy of Salon and SpaFort Smith, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 57 | $16,394 | $18,363 | $4,500 | $19,500 |
| Arkansas State University-NewportNewport, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 48 | n/a | $28,089 | $3,750 | $3,432 |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich MountainMena, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 39 | n/a | $26,606 | n/a | $3,864 |
| Arkansas State University Three RiversMalvern, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 33 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $3,976 |
| Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR | Public technical school | Certificate | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $8,901 |
| Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR | Public technical school | Associate degree | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $8,901 |
| Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,470 |
| Hot Springs Beauty CollegeHot Springs, AR | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 50 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $17,750 |
| Phillips Community College of the University of ArkansasHelena, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $3,470 |
| Southern Arkansas University TechCamden, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,190 |
| Southern Arkansas University TechCamden, AR | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,190 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-BatesvilleBatesville, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 25 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $3,750 |
| University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community CollegeForrest City, AR | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 31 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $3,390 |
Cities with the most programs: Fort Smith (2), North Little Rock (2), Russellville (2), Fayetteville (1), Jonesboro (1), Conway (1), Springdale (1), Rogers (1), Sherwood (1), Searcy (1), Newport (1), Mena (1).
What counts: cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology and makeup.
Frequently asked questions
How many cosmetology and barber schools are in Arkansas?
22 schools in Arkansas awarded cosmetology and barbering certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 22 certificate and 2 associate programs.
Which cosmetology and barbering program in Arkansas has the highest earnings?
Paul Mitchell the School-Arkansas in Fayetteville, where certificate graduates earned a median of $26,084 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).
What is the cheapest cosmetology and barbering school in Arkansas?
By yearly tuition and fees, University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City charges $3,390 (2025-26, in-state). Program fees, tools and licensing exams can add to that, so ask the school.
How much do cosmetology and barbering graduates make in Arkansas?
The typical certificate program in Arkansas reported median earnings of $21,378 one year after graduation and $25,313 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
More in Arkansas: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · 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 · Paralegal
Cosmetology and barber schools nationwide
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.