UnisHub University Compass

Cosmetology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Students in this program develop comprehensive skills in personal grooming and beauty care, preparing for professional practice as licensed cosmetologists in diverse salon environments. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training and theoretical knowledge to support safe, effective, and client-centered service delivery across hair, skin, and nail care.

  • Hair cutting and styling: Master techniques for shaping, layering, and styling scalp, facial, and body hair using precision tools and modern trends.
  • Manicuring and pedicuring: Learn advanced nail care procedures, including shaping, polishing, and treatment of natural and artificial nail enhancements.
  • Facial treatments: Gain expertise in skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, and targeted treatments to promote healthy, radiant skin.
  • Chemical applications: Understand the safe and effective use of hair coloring, perming, and straightening agents, including product selection and client consultation.
  • Esthetics: Study the science of skin health, including hydration, anti-aging, and treatment protocols for various skin types and conditions.
  • Sanitation and safety: Adhere to industry standards for infection control, equipment sterilization, and safe handling of chemicals and tools.
  • Customer service: Develop communication strategies and client relationship management skills to ensure satisfaction and retention.
  • Shop management: Explore operational aspects such as scheduling, inventory control, billing, and salon workflow optimization.
  • Professional and labor regulations: Become familiar with state licensing requirements, ethical guidelines, and legal responsibilities governing cosmetology practice.
  • Shampooing and scalp care: Practice techniques for effective cleansing, conditioning, and therapeutic scalp treatments to support hair health.

Cosmetology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

55,875
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
1,370
Universities & Colleges
5
Career Pathways

Cosmetology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cosmetology degrees, including Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance, Skincare Specialists and Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 525,730 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance 39-5091 $50,280 $22,010 - $157,090 3,320 $24.17
Skincare Specialists 39-5094 $41,560 $27,160 - $77,330 70,240 $19.98
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists 39-5012 $35,250 $24,580 - $70,220 295,460 $16.95
Manicurists and Pedicurists 39-5092 $34,660 $27,910 - $47,990 147,820 $16.66
Shampooers 39-5093 $31,470 $22,880 - $35,970 8,890 $15.13

Salary Comparison

Cosmetology Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $28,580 in Alabama to $57,213 in Washington—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, Maine, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 525,730 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Cosmetology by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 100 institutions offering Cosmetology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Cosmetology is found at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington (904 graduates), NUC University (NUC) (619 graduates), IBMC College (IBMC) (414 graduates), Douglas J Aveda Institute (353 graduates), and West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) (290 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 15,585 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Admissions Location Control Website
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
904 N/A Covington, Louisiana Private avedaarts.edu
NUC University (NUC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
619 N/A Bayamon, Puerto Rico Private nuc.edu
IBMC College (IBMC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
414 N/A Fort Collins, Colorado Private ibmc.edu
Douglas J Aveda Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
353 N/A East Lansing, Michigan Private douglasj.edu
West Georgia Technical College (WGTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
290 N/A Waco, Georgia Public westgatech.edu
Aveda Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
279 N/A Davie, Florida Private beaveda.com
Aveda Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
259 N/A Tallahassee, Florida Private beaveda.com
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
254 N/A Valdosta, Georgia Public wiregrass.edu
Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
246 N/A Warner Robins, Georgia Public centralgatech.edu
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
237 N/A Rome, Georgia Public gntc.edu
Empire Beauty School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
211 N/A New York, New York Private empire.edu
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
207 N/A Worcester, Massachusetts Private worcester.toniguy.edu
Citrus College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
206 N/A Glendora, California Public citruscollege.edu
Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
205 N/A Thomasville, Georgia Public southernregional.edu
Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
199 N/A Griffin, Georgia Public sctech.edu
Evergreen Beauty and Barber College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
194 N/A Everett, Washington Private evergreenbeauty.edu
Golden West College (GWC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
190 N/A Huntington Beach, California Public goldenwestcollege.edu
San Jacinto Community College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
190 N/A Pasadena, Texas Public sanjac.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
188 N/A Temecula, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Nouvelle Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
184 N/A Miami, Florida Private nouvelleinstitute.com
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
183 N/A Houston, Texas Private paulmitchell.edu
Santa Monica College (SMC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
182 N/A Santa Monica, California Public smc.edu
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
179 N/A Minneapolis, Minnesota Private avedaarts.edu
Milan Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
167 N/A Visalia, California Private milaninstitute.edu
Aveda Fredric's Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
167 N/A West Chester, Ohio Private avedafi.edu
Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
166 N/A Los Angeles, California Public lattc.edu
Skyline College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
161 N/A San Bruno, California Public skylinecollege.edu
Olympian Academy of Cosmetology
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
161 N/A LAS CRUCES, New Mexico Private olympianacademy.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
160 N/A Fort Worth, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
157 N/A Dallas, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
Saddleback College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
149 N/A Mission Viejo, California Public saddleback.edu
Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
149 N/A Gainesville, Georgia Public laniertech.edu
Cerritos College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
147 N/A Norwalk, California Public cerritos.edu
Intellitec College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
143 N/A Grand Junction, Colorado Private intellitec.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
143 N/A Costa Mesa, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
143 N/A Waycross, Georgia Public coastalpines.edu
Asian-American International Beauty College (AAIBC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
142 N/A Westminster, California Private aabeautycollege.com
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
139 N/A Fresno, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
138 N/A Knoxville, Tennessee Private tennesseeschoolofbeauty.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
138 N/A Stafford, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
Chattahoochee Technical College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
137 N/A Marietta, Georgia Public chattahoocheetech.edu
Mountainland Technical College (MTECH)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
136 N/A Lehi, Utah Public mtec.edu
Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
135 N/A Athens, Texas Public tvcc.edu
Savannah Technical College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
133 N/A Savannah, Georgia Public savannahtech.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
133 N/A San Antonio, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
132 N/A San Diego, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Z Hair Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
129 N/A Overland Park, Kansas Private zhairacademy.com
Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
125 N/A Nanuet, New York Private caprinow.edu
Daytona State College (DSC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
121 N/A Daytona Beach, Florida Public daytonastate.edu
North Georgia Technical College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
121 N/A Clarkesville, Georgia Public northgatech.edu
Total Image Beauty Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
121 N/A Union City, New Jersey Private tiba.edu
Paul Mitchell the School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
121 N/A Cincinnati, Ohio Private paulmitchell.edu
Empire Beauty School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
120 N/A Grand Rapids, Michigan Private empire.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
120 N/A Las Vegas, Nevada Private paulmitchell.edu
Fullerton College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
117 N/A Fullerton, California Public fullcoll.edu
Delta Technical College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
115 N/A Horn Lake, Mississippi Private deltatechnicalcollege.com
Northeast Technology Center
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
115 N/A Pryor, Oklahoma Public netech.edu
Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
114 N/A Voorhees, New Jersey Private rizzierischools.com
Jean Madeline Aveda Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
114 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private jeanmadeline.edu
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
113 N/A Baton Rouge, Louisiana Private avedaarts.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
112 N/A Dallas, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
Avalon Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
111 N/A Mesa, Arizona Private avalon.edu
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology (GIC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
111 N/A Athens, Georgia Private gic.edu
Milan Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
111 N/A Bakersfield, California Private milaninstitute.edu
Butte College
Associate's
Other Award
110 N/A Oroville, California Public butte.edu
Riverside City College (RCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
110 N/A Riverside, California Public rcc.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
110 N/A Indianapolis, Indiana Private paulmitchell.edu
Avalon Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
110 N/A Phoenix, Arizona Private avalon.edu
Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
109 N/A Sandersville, Georgia Public oftc.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
109 N/A Sterling Heights, Michigan Private paulmitchell.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
109 N/A Roswell, Georgia Private paulmitchell.edu
Studio Academy of Beauty
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
109 N/A Chandler, Arizona Private tsaob.com
Advance Beauty College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
107 N/A Garden Grove, California Private advancebeautycollege.com
Paul Mitchell the School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
107 N/A Sacramento, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Southern Careers Institute (SCI)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
106 N/A Brownsville, Texas Private scitexas.edu
Avalon Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
106 N/A Las Vegas, Nevada Private avalon.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
105 N/A Louisville, Kentucky Private paulmitchell.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
105 N/A Arlington, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
105 N/A Virginia Beach, Virginia Private paulmitchell.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
104 N/A St. Louis, Missouri Private paulmitchell.edu
Sacramento City College (SCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
103 N/A Sacramento, California Public scc.losrios.edu
Aveda Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
103 N/A Denver, Colorado Private avedainspiregreatness.com
Bella Capelli Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
103 N/A Monroeville, Pennsylvania Private paulmitchell.edu
San Jose City College (SJCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
102 N/A San Jose, California Public sjcc.edu
Twin City Beauty College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
102 N/A Saint Joseph, Michigan Private tcbeautycollege.com
Dorsey School of Beauty
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
102 N/A Taylor, Michigan Private dorsey.edu
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
102 N/A Cranston, Rhode Island Private rhodeisland.toniguy.edu
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
102 N/A Houston, Texas Private ogleschool.edu
MTI College (MTI)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
101 N/A Sacramento, California Private campus.edu
David Pressley School of Cosmetology
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
101 N/A Royal Oak, Michigan Private davidpressleyschool.com
Empire Beauty School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
101 N/A Astoria, New York Private empire.edu
Paul Mitchell the School
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
100 N/A Columbia, Missouri Private missouricolumbia.paulmitchell.edu
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
100 N/A San Antonio, Texas Private avedaarts.edu
Saint Paul College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
99 N/A Saint Paul, Minnesota Public saintpaul.edu
Lee College
Other Award
98 N/A Baytown, Texas Public lee.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
98 N/A West Columbia, South Carolina Private paulmitchell.edu
D'Mart Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
97 N/A Barranquitas, Puerto Rico Private dmartpr.com
Milan Institute
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
97 N/A Clovis, California Private milaninstitute.edu
Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
97 N/A Modesto, California Private paulmitchell.edu
Capitol Beauty School
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
96 N/A Omaha, Nebraska Private hairschoolomaha.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Cosmetology programs

How much can I earn with a Cosmetology degree?

Salaries for Cosmetology graduates vary by role and location. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn a median of $50,280 annually, while Skincare Specialists earn around $41,560. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $57,213 compared to $28,580 in Alabama. Approximately 525,730 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Cosmetology programs?

Currently 1,370 accredited institutions offer Cosmetology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington (904 graduates), NUC University (NUC) (619 graduates), and IBMC College (IBMC) (414 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Cosmetology growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 73,385 in 2010 to 55,875 in 2023-24. This represents a 24% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Cosmetology degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance, Skincare Specialists, and Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. Related occupations employ approximately 525,730 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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