Field of study · CIP 12.04
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Offered at 1,670 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 1,526 | $22,965 | $27,267 | $9,500 |
| Associate | 144 | $24,015 | $30,118 | $12,265 |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
Highest-earning certificate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Webb Skin Institute | TX | $31,740 | $50,228 | $7,917 |
| 2 | Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics | VA | $36,615 | $44,048 | $12,564 |
| 3 | University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology | IL | $26,416 | $43,457 | $7,917 |
| 4 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis | MN | $31,243 | $42,724 | $10,194 |
| 5 | Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline | WA | $36,985 | $42,265 | $9,368 |
| 6 | Paul Mitchell the School-Reno | NV | $25,346 | $40,688 | $10,556 |
| 7 | Saint Paul College | MN | $33,280 | $40,360 | $12,316 |
| 8 | Madison Area Technical College | WI | — | $39,929 | $16,084 |
| 9 | Saddleback College | CA | $39,816 | — | $11,250 |
| 10 | GateWay Community College | AZ | $29,551 | $39,780 | $5,500 |
| 11 | GateWay Community College-Central City | AZ | $29,551 | $39,780 | $5,500 |
| 12 | Aveda Institute-Denver | CO | $34,300 | $39,271 | $9,833 |
| 13 | Johnson County Community College | KS | $30,494 | $39,081 | $8,125 |
| 14 | Hastings Beauty School | MN | — | $39,078 | $10,194 |
| 15 | Cape Coral Technical College | FL | $18,222 | $38,985 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning associate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston City College | TX | $24,421 | $46,889 | $24,841 |
| 2 | Clover Park Technical College | WA | $31,122 | $37,800 | $12,265 |
| 3 | Douglas Education Center | PA | $24,344 | $35,395 | $12,000 |
| 4 | Central Piedmont Community College | NC | $24,015 | $31,457 | — |
| 5 | Honolulu Community College | HI | $30,946 | — | — |
| 6 | Central New Mexico Community College | NM | $22,359 | $28,779 | — |
| 7 | Clovis Community College | NM | — | $26,593 | — |
| 8 | Pomona Unified School District Adult and Career Education | CA | $25,928 | — | — |
| 9 | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | TN | $24,645 | — | — |
| 10 | Hollywood Institute | FL | $24,516 | — | — |
| 11 | Spokane Community College | WA | $24,442 | — | $19,759 |
| 12 | Wake Technical Community College | NC | $24,001 | — | — |
| 13 | Remington College-Dallas Campus | TX | $22,761 | — | — |
| 14 | Remington College-Cleveland Campus | OH | $22,761 | — | — |
| 15 | Shelton State Community College | AL | $21,306 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
