5 schools · South Dakota
Cosmetology and barber schools in South Dakota
5 schools in South Dakota offer cosmetology and barbering programs (1 of them public), with 4 certificate and 1 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $27,140 a year after finishing, compared with $23,112 nationally.
All cosmetology and barbering programs in South Dakota
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart SchoolSioux Falls, SD | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 99 | $30,279 | $35,447 | $10,041 | $14,700 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid CityRapid City, SD | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 43 | $29,698 | $29,257 | $6,333 | $16,450 |
| The Salon Professional AcademyRapid City, SD | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 48 | $24,582 | $35,291 | $6,500 | $17,475 |
| Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown, SD | Community college | Certificate | 35 | $24,262 | $35,222 | $7,855 | $7,622 |
| National American University-Rapid CityRapid City, SD | For-profit college | Associate degree | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $16,065 |
Cities with the most programs: Rapid City (3), Sioux Falls (1), Watertown (1).
What counts: cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology and makeup.
Frequently asked questions
How many cosmetology and barber schools are in South Dakota?
5 schools in South Dakota awarded cosmetology and barbering certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 4 certificate and 1 associate programs.
Which cosmetology and barbering program in South Dakota has the highest earnings?
Stewart School in Sioux Falls, where certificate graduates earned a median of $30,279 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).
What is the cheapest cosmetology and barbering school in South Dakota?
By yearly tuition and fees, Lake Area Technical College in Watertown charges $7,622 (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 South Dakota?
The typical certificate program in South Dakota reported median earnings of $27,140 one year after graduation and $35,257 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
More in South Dakota: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Construction trades · Auto and diesel 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
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.