# Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

> A program that generally prepares individuals to cut, trim, and style scalp, facial, and body hair; apply cosmetic preparations; perform manicures and pedicures; massage the head and extremities; and prepare for practice as licensed cosmetologists in specialized or full-service salons. Includes instruction in hair cutting and styling, manicuring, pedicuring, facial treatments, shampooing, chemical applications, esthetics, shop management, sanitation and safety, customer service, and applicable professional and labor laws and regulations.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/cosmetology-and-related-personal-grooming-services
- CIP code: 12.04 (Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services)
- Colleges offering it: 311 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 311 | $22,175 | $25,012 | $6,704 |
| Associate's | 168 | $24,001 | $24,818 | $15,313 |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Associate's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Clover Park Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/clover-park-technical-college-582) | Lakewood, WA | $33,290 | not reported |
| [Douglas Education Center](https://www.collegesref.com/college/douglas-education-center-831) | Monessen, PA | $32,245 | $12,000 |
| [Central New Mexico Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/central-new-mexico-community-college-469) | Albuquerque, NM | $27,398 | not reported |
| [Central Piedmont Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/central-piedmont-community-college-473) | Charlotte, NC | $26,550 | not reported |
| [Bevill State Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bevill-state-community-college-246) | Jasper, AL | $23,086 | not reported |
| [Coahoma Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/coahoma-community-college-585) | Clarksdale, MS | $22,918 | not reported |
| [Houston Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/houston-community-college-1235) | Houston, TX | $22,631 | $18,626 |
| [Gadsden State Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/gadsden-state-community-college-1041) | Gadsden, AL | $18,504 | not reported |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/makeup-artists-theatrical-and-performance): $97,150 median pay
- [Fitness and Wellness Coordinators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fitness-and-wellness-coordinators): $69,770 median pay
- [Personal Service Managers, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/personal-service-managers-all-other): $69,770 median pay
- [Spa Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/spa-managers): $69,770 median pay
- [First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/first-line-supervisors-of-personal-service-workers): $48,590 median pay
- [Skincare Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/skincare-specialists): $45,330 median pay
- [Barbers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/barbers): $38,210 median pay
- [Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hairdressers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologists): $35,790 median pay
- [Manicurists and Pedicurists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/manicurists-and-pedicurists): $35,760 median pay
- [Shampooers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/shampooers): $32,600 median pay

## More in Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services

- [Culinary Arts and Related Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/culinary-arts-and-related-services): 461 colleges
- [Funeral Service and Mortuary Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/funeral-service-and-mortuary-science): 62 colleges
- Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services, Other: 4 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/