23 schools · Colorado
Cosmetology and barber schools in Colorado
23 schools in Colorado offer cosmetology and barbering programs (11 of them public), with 23 certificate and 4 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $25,893 a year after finishing, compared with $23,112 nationally.
All cosmetology and barbering programs in Colorado
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveda Institute-DenverDenver, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 259 | $34,300 | $39,029 | $6,333 | $21,200 |
| Avalon Institute-AuroraAurora, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 167 | $32,893 | $32,200 | $6,332 | $9,300 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-DenverLakewood, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 148 | $31,881 | $38,056 | $6,211 | $19,250 |
| Stacey James InstituteParker, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 80 | $29,909 | n/a | $6,333 | $21,000 |
| Pickens Technical CollegeAurora, CO | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 107 | $28,882 | $36,349 | n/a | $5,140 |
| Trinidad State CollegeTrinidad, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 60 | $28,495 | $21,371 | n/a | $4,618 |
| IBMC CollegeFort Collins, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 414 | $28,244 | $31,427 | $6,500 | $25,500 |
| Emily Griffith Technical CollegeDenver, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 199 | $26,869 | $31,118 | n/a | $12,175 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 59 | $26,047 | $31,909 | $6,333 | $19,000 |
| Northeastern Junior CollegeSterling, CO | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 23 | $25,739 | n/a | $5,500 | $5,923 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 99 | $24,193 | $32,158 | $6,333 | $17,100 |
| Empire Beauty School-AuroraAurora, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 31 | $23,892 | $24,548 | $10,222 | $19,350 |
| Empire Beauty School-ThorntonThornton, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 40 | $23,829 | $25,814 | $10,667 | $19,350 |
| International Salon and Spa AcademyColorado Springs, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 184 | $23,061 | $28,966 | $6,333 | $19,015 |
| Intellitec College-Grand JunctionGrand Junction, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 143 | $22,923 | $23,444 | $11,242 | $23,730 |
| TIGI Hairdressing Academy LegacyColorado Springs, CO | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 104 | $22,685 | $28,471 | $9,500 | $18,260 |
| Technical College of the RockiesDelta, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 88 | $20,624 | $25,678 | n/a | $7,743 |
| Pueblo Community CollegePueblo, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 73 | $15,761 | $19,653 | $4,500 | $5,214 |
| Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 88 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,626 |
| Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton, CO | Public technical school | Associate degree | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,626 |
| Colorado Northwestern Community CollegeRangely, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,747 |
| Lamar Community CollegeLamar, CO | Community college | Certificate | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,700 |
| Lamar Community CollegeLamar, CO | Community college | Associate degree | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,700 |
| Otero CollegeLa Junta, CO | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,745 |
| Pueblo Community CollegePueblo, CO | Public technical school | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,214 |
| Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewood, CO | Public technical school | Certificate | 64 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,016 |
| Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewood, CO | Public technical school | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,016 |
Cities with the most programs: Colorado Springs (4), Aurora (3), Denver (2), Lakewood (2), Parker (1), Trinidad (1), Fort Collins (1), Sterling (1), Thornton (1), Grand Junction (1), Delta (1), Pueblo (1).
What counts: cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology and makeup.
Frequently asked questions
How many cosmetology and barber schools are in Colorado?
23 schools in Colorado awarded cosmetology and barbering certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 23 certificate and 4 associate programs.
Which cosmetology and barbering program in Colorado has the highest earnings?
Aveda Institute-Denver in Denver, where certificate graduates earned a median of $34,300 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).
What is the cheapest cosmetology and barbering school in Colorado?
By yearly tuition and fees, Trinidad State College in Trinidad charges $4,618 (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 Colorado?
The typical certificate program in Colorado reported median earnings of $25,893 one year after graduation and $30,042 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
More in Colorado: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Carpentry · Construction trades · Auto and diesel mechanic · Heavy equipment mechanic · 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
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.