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2026 Best Cosmetology Schools
Looking for the best Cosmetology programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1613 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Trade College reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Cosmetology Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Medspa Academies, our #1 Cosmetology school in the United States. Located in South Jordan, UT, Medspa Academies is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $12,394 in student loans. Read the full report on Medspa Academies
University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology came in at #2 on this year's Cosmetology ranking in the United States. University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Students borrow a median of $11,667 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology profile
Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training came in at #3 on this year's Cosmetology ranking in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training is a private for-profit institution. Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. Get the full Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training report
You'll be in good company at San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc, which ranked #4 this year. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,556. Read the full report on San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc
Out of the 1613 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics landed the #5 spot. Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit school based in Ashland, VA. Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,944 in debt. Read the full report on Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute placed #6 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Gary Manuel Aveda Institute Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,111 in debt. Read more about Gary Manuel Aveda Institute
New York Institute Of Beauty landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Islandia, NY, New York Institute Of Beauty is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,062. More on New York Institute Of Beauty
W Academy Of Salon And Spa did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Danville, CA, W Academy Of Salon And Spa is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $6,211 in student loans. See the full W Academy Of Salon And Spa profile
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Based in Everett, WA, Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett is a private for-profit institution. Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,164 in debt. See the full Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett profile
Hastings Beauty School placed #11 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Hastings, MN, Hastings Beauty School is a private for-profit institution. Get the full Hastings Beauty School report
Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy is a private for-profit school based in Reston, VA. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $8,517. Read the full report on Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy
The Hair Academy placed #13 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. The Hair Academy is a private for-profit school based in Bismarck, ND. The Hair Academy Cosmetology students take on a median of $11,809 in debt. See the full The Hair Academy profile
Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics placed #14 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Woburn, MA. Students borrow a median of $7,667 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Get the full Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics report
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness is a private for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,555 in debt. Read more about The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness
Obriens Aveda Institute ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Williston, VT. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,832. Read more about Obriens Aveda Institute
Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Located in Northridge, CA, Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $6,333. More on Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge
Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. See the full Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics profile
New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private for-profit school is set in white plains, NY. New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,625 in debt. See the full New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa profile
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Located in Fargo, ND, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on The Salon Professional Academy Fargo
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline placed #22 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Shoreline, WA, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,344 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Omaha, NE, Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,166 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics
Aveda Institute Denver did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Denver, CO, Aveda Institute Denver is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $12,000. More on Aveda Institute Denver
Universal Spa Training Academy did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Downers Grove, IL, Universal Spa Training Academy is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,917. Read the full report on Universal Spa Training Academy
Spa Tech Institute Westboro placed #26 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Westborough, MA, Spa Tech Institute Westboro is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,117. Read the full report on Spa Tech Institute Westboro
Aesthetic Science Institute landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Latham, NY, Aesthetic Science Institute is a private for-profit institution. Aesthetic Science Institute Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. Read the full report on Aesthetic Science Institute
Rest of the Top 50 Best Cosmetology Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in WOODBURY, MN, Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,194 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus profile
Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Carmel, IN, Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,833. Read the full report on Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis
Aveda Institute Madison placed #30 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, Aveda Institute Madison is a private for-profit institution. Aveda Institute Madison Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,555 in debt. Read more about Aveda Institute Madison
The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Annapolis, MD, The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit institution. The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,583 in debt. Read more about The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School
The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Frederick, MD, The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,583 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read the full report on The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Spa Tech Institute Plymouth ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Set in Plymouth, MA, Spa Tech Institute Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,117. Read the full report on Spa Tech Institute Plymouth
Avenue Five Institute did well this year, earning the #34 position. Avenue Five Institute is a private for-profit school based in Austin, TX. Students borrow a median of $7,917 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Avenue Five Institute
Paul Mitchell The School St Louis came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in St. Louis, MO, Paul Mitchell The School St Louis is a private for-profit institution. Paul Mitchell The School St Louis Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,833 in debt. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School St Louis report
Image Maker Beauty Institute did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Hendersonville, TN, Image Maker Beauty Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $11,580. More on Image Maker Beauty Institute
Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private for-profit school is set in Austin, TX. Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus Cosmetology students take on a median of $7,917 in debt. More on Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska placed #38 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Onalaska, WI, The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $12,000. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska
Arrojo Cosmetology School placed #39 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Arrojo Cosmetology School is a private for-profit school based in New York, NY. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,666. More on Arrojo Cosmetology School
Aveda Institute Des Moines came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in West Des Moines, IA, Aveda Institute Des Moines is a private for-profit institution. Aveda Institute Des Moines Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. See the full Aveda Institute Des Moines profile
Aveda Institute Minneapolis placed #41 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Students borrow a median of $9,941 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Minneapolis
Pci Academy Plymouth placed #42 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Plymouth, MN, Pci Academy Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,570 in student loans. Read the full report on Pci Academy Plymouth
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester is a private for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. Graduates carry a median of $10,667 in student loans. More on Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester
The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology placed #44 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Downers Grove, IL, The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,917. Read more about The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
International College Of Cosmetology ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Set in Oakland, CA, International College Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. International College Of Cosmetology Cosmetology students take on a median of $8,664 in debt. Read the full report on International College Of Cosmetology
Avi Career Training came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Great Falls, VA, Avi Career Training is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $6,333. See the full Avi Career Training profile
Acaydia School Of Aesthetics ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Based in Provo, UT, Acaydia School Of Aesthetics is a private for-profit institution. Acaydia School Of Aesthetics Cosmetology students take on a median of $7,668 in debt. Read the full report on Acaydia School Of Aesthetics
Nova Academy Of Cosmetology placed #48 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Rochester, MN. Graduates carry a median of $9,999 in student loans. Read the full report on Nova Academy Of Cosmetology
Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Located in Sacramento, CA, Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento is a private for-profit institution. Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,526 in debt. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento report
Penrose Academy came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $8,043. Get the full Penrose Academy report
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook came in at #51 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Westbrook, ME. Spa Tech Institute Westbrook Cosmetology students take on a median of $7,117 in debt. Get the full Spa Tech Institute Westbrook report
Studio Academy Of Beauty landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Studio Academy Of Beauty is a private for-profit school based in Chandler, AZ. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Studio Academy Of Beauty
Best Cosmetology Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1613 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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