18 schools · Kentucky
Cosmetology and barber schools in Kentucky
18 schools in Kentucky offer cosmetology and barbering programs (5 of them public), with 18 certificate and 0 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $23,422 a year after finishing, compared with $23,112 nationally.
All cosmetology and barbering programs in Kentucky
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington, KY | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 23 | $29,190 | n/a | n/a | $4,952 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-LouisvilleLouisville, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 133 | $26,485 | $27,853 | $9,833 | $19,391 |
| PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling GreenBowling Green, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 202 | $25,281 | $26,115 | $7,917 | $18,616 |
| Employment Solutions-College for Technical EducationLexington, KY | Nonprofit trade school | Certificate | 93 | $24,437 | $23,761 | $9,833 | $18,795 |
| Empire Beauty School-ChenowethLouisville, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 44 | $24,138 | $27,578 | $10,493 | $17,145 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-LexingtonLexington, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 71 | $24,064 | $27,620 | $9,833 | $19,391 |
| Empire Beauty School-ElizabethtownElizabethtown, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 77 | $23,892 | $24,548 | $10,222 | $19,095 |
| Empire Beauty School-DixieLouisville, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 37 | $23,829 | $25,814 | $10,667 | $18,345 |
| Empire Beauty School-FlorenceFlorence, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 67 | $23,015 | $27,163 | $12,924 | $17,895 |
| Summit Salon Academy-LexingtonLexington, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 133 | $22,518 | $28,118 | $7,917 | $7,800 |
| American College of BarberingLouisville, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 34 | $21,422 | $24,086 | $14,143 | $18,675 |
| Ashland Community and Technical CollegeAshland, KY | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 30 | $19,661 | n/a | $6,112 | $4,872 |
| Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY | Private college | Certificate | 116 | $18,327 | $16,139 | $8,750 | $29,618 |
| Somerset Community CollegeSomerset, KY | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 59 | $17,582 | $23,441 | $8,001 | $4,872 |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical CollegePaducah, KY | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 32 | $13,490 | n/a | n/a | $4,872 |
| Lindsey Institute of CosmetologyBowling Green, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 36 | $11,944 | $16,907 | n/a | $16,100 |
| Edge Academy of BeautyManchester, KY | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 27 | n/a | n/a | $8,192 | $16,626 |
| Hazard Community and Technical CollegeHazard, KY | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,872 |
Cities with the most programs: Lexington (4), Louisville (4), Bowling Green (2), Elizabethtown (1), Florence (1), Ashland (1), Campbellsville (1), Somerset (1), Paducah (1), Manchester (1), Hazard (1).
What counts: cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology and makeup.
Frequently asked questions
How many cosmetology and barber schools are in Kentucky?
18 schools in Kentucky awarded cosmetology and barbering certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 18 certificate and 0 associate programs.
Which cosmetology and barbering program in Kentucky has the highest earnings?
Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, where certificate graduates earned a median of $29,190 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).
What is the cheapest cosmetology and barbering school in Kentucky?
By yearly tuition and fees, Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland charges $4,872 (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 Kentucky?
The typical certificate program in Kentucky reported median earnings of $23,422 one year after graduation and $25,814 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
More in Kentucky: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Plumbing · Carpentry · 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
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.