Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services: is this undergraduate certificate or diploma worth it?
National picture across 1,199 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$26,547 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$26,547Median year-4 earnings
$16,967Average institution net-price context
$9,833Median federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$26,547Median reported earnings · year 4
$22,485Average reported earnings · year 5
$9,833Median federal debt
4thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
1,199Reporting programs
1,149With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
CURRENT VIEW
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $26,547
- Federal debt
- $9,833
- Reporting programs
- 1,199
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $23,086
- Federal debt
- $10,802
- Reporting programs
- 13
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $18,558
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $28,855
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $21,356
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $28,549
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$22,170National median$26,54775th percentile$30,100
1,149 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Seattle$43,5072Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty$41,2973Warrensburg Area Career Center$40,4234Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis$39,5705San Jose City College$39,0396Aveda Institute-Denver$39,0297Madison Area Technical College$39,0228Saint Paul College$38,8559Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics$38,76910Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline$38,683Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsSOC 39-5012 · 8 crosswalk linksBarbersSOC 39-5011 · 4 crosswalk linksSkincare SpecialistsSOC 39-5094 · 4 crosswalk linksMakeup Artists, Theatrical and PerformanceSOC 39-5091 · 3 crosswalk linksManicurists and PedicuristsSOC 39-5092 · 2 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Personal Service WorkersSOC 39-1022 · 1 crosswalk linksPersonal Service Managers, All OtherSOC 11-9179 · 1 crosswalk linksShampooersSOC 39-5093 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute SeattleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Seattle, WA | $43,507 | $10,111 | Baseline needed | $23,787 |
| 2 | Hair Academy School of Barbering & BeautyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Newark, DE | $41,297 | $9,666 | Baseline needed | $12,265 |
| 3 | Warrensburg Area Career CenterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Warrensburg, MO | $40,423 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,266 |
| 4 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute MinneapolisUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Minneapolis, MN | $39,570 | $9,941 | Baseline needed | $18,345 |
| 5 | San Jose City CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Jose, CA | $39,039 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,959 |
| 6 | Aveda Institute-DenverUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Denver, CO | $39,029 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $20,167 |
| 7 | Madison Area Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Madison, WI | $39,022 | $8,875 | Baseline needed | $14,238 |
| 8 | Saint Paul CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Saint Paul, MN | $38,855 | $14,250 | Baseline needed | $11,495 |
| 9 | Catherine Hinds Institute of EstheticsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Woburn, MA | $38,769 | $7,667 | Baseline needed | $20,086 |
| 10 | Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-ShorelineUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Shoreline, WA | $38,683 | $12,344 | Baseline needed | $20,286 |
| 11 | San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology IncUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Francisco, CA | $38,673 | $10,556 | Baseline needed | $18,333 |
| 12 | Branford Academy of Hair & CosmetologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Branford, CT | $38,466 | $13,918 | Baseline needed | $4,271 |
| 13 | Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology-BridgeportUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bridgeport, CT | $38,466 | $13,918 | Baseline needed | $30,086 |
| 14 | Aveda Institute-ProvoUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Provo, UT | $38,115 | $10,555 | Baseline needed | $17,372 |
| 15 | Paul Mitchell the School-DenverUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lakewood, CO | $38,056 | $11,833 | Baseline needed | $25,711 |
| 16 | The Esthetic InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Vienna, VA | $38,044 | $11,208 | Baseline needed | $22,147 |
| 17 | Academy of Cosmetology IncUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bozeman, MT | $38,001 | $7,715 | Baseline needed | $16,663 |
| 18 | Institute of Advanced Medical EstheticsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Ashland, VA | $37,985 | $6,944 | Baseline needed | $10,219 |
| 19 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Jacksonville, FL | $37,819 | $13,577 | Baseline needed | $4,128 |
| 20 | Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Canal WinchesterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | CANAL WINCHESTER, OH | $37,682 | $11,166 | Baseline needed | $18,476 |
| 21 | Cinta Aveda InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Francisco, CA | $37,484 | $10,554 | Baseline needed | $18,204 |
| 22 | The Salon Professional Academy-LewisvilleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lewisville, TX | $37,415 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $20,630 |
| 23 | Professional's Choice Hair Design AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Joliet, IL | $37,203 | $11,310 | Baseline needed | $13,273 |
| 24 | Johnson County Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Overland Park, KS | $37,166 | $5,424 | Baseline needed | $14,176 |
| 25 | North Shore Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Danvers, MA | $37,055 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,000 |
| 26 | The Salon Professional Academy-St CharlesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | St. Charles, MO | $36,905 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $13,388 |
| 27 | Paul Mitchell the School-EsaniUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Roswell, GA | $36,835 | $12,541 | Baseline needed | $18,522 |
| 28 | The Salon Professional Academy-FargoUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fargo, ND | $36,803 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $18,814 |
| 29 | Raritan Valley Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Branchburg, NJ | $36,696 | Not available | Baseline needed | $6,778 |
| 30 | Medspa AcademiesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | South Jordan, UT | $36,624 | $12,394 | Baseline needed | $19,466 |
| 31 | Medspa Academies-National Institute of Modern AestheticsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Las Vegas, NV | $36,624 | $12,394 | Baseline needed | $22,990 |
| 32 | Advanced College of CosmetologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Waupun, WI | $36,524 | $11,420 | Baseline needed | $13,545 |
| 33 | Pickens Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Aurora, CO | $36,349 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $6,600 |
| 34 | Capri College-Cedar RapidsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,283 | $11,681 | Baseline needed | $16,541 |
| 35 | The Hair AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bismarck, ND | $36,244 | $11,809 | Baseline needed | $14,950 |
| 36 | Ann Webb Skin InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Austin, TX | $36,187 | $7,917 | Baseline needed | $20,056 |
| 37 | PCI Academy-AmesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Ames, IA | $36,179 | $10,570 | Baseline needed | $20,533 |
| 38 | PCI Academy-PlymouthUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Plymouth, MN | $36,179 | $10,570 | Baseline needed | $20,037 |
| 39 | PCI Academy-Iowa CityUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Iowa City, IA | $36,179 | $10,570 | Baseline needed | $20,938 |
| 40 | Fortis CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Mobile, AL | $36,102 | $10,819 | Baseline needed | $19,074 |
| 41 | Fortis Institute-PensacolaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Pensacola, FL | $36,102 | $10,819 | Baseline needed | $27,867 |
| 42 | Nova Academy of CosmetologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rochester, MN | $36,079 | $9,999 | Baseline needed | $21,473 |
| 43 | New York Institute of BeautyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Islandia, NY | $35,986 | $6,062 | Baseline needed | $27,491 |
| 44 | Barber & Beauty Institute of New YorkUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Hempstead, NY | $35,980 | $4,848 | Baseline needed | $15,730 |
| 45 | Aveda Fredric's Institute-IndianapolisUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Carmel, IN | $35,969 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $24,096 |
| 46 | Paul Mitchell the School-Federal WayUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Federal Way, WA | $35,881 | $10,555 | Baseline needed | $13,711 |
| 47 | Waukesha County Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Pewaukee, WI | $35,835 | $9,750 | Baseline needed | $11,101 |
| 48 | Capri College-DavenportUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Davenport, IA | $35,754 | $11,019 | Baseline needed | $16,635 |
| 49 | Cortiva InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Linthicum, MD | $35,636 | $7,917 | Baseline needed | $26,328 |
| 50 | VICI Beauty SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Greenfield, WI | $35,611 | $9,290 | Baseline needed | $10,496 |
| 51 | Avenue Five InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Austin, TX | $35,555 | $7,917 | Baseline needed | $29,253 |
| 52 | Avenue Five Institute-South Austin CampusUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Austin, TX | $35,555 | $7,917 | Baseline needed | $28,695 |
| 53 | The University of Aesthetics & CosmetologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Downers Grove, IL | $35,516 | $7,917 | Baseline needed | $17,688 |
| 54 | Lia Schorr Institute of Cosmetic Skin Care TrainingUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | New York, NY | $35,505 | $6,333 | Baseline needed | $7,746 |
| 55 | Stewart SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Sioux Falls, SD | $35,447 | $8,863 | Baseline needed | $14,221 |
| 56 | The Institute of Beauty and WellnessUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Milwaukee, WI | $35,396 | $10,555 | Baseline needed | $12,897 |
| 57 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness MadisonUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Madison, WI | $35,396 | $10,555 | Baseline needed | $12,568 |
| 58 | Hands on TherapyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Mesquite, TX | $35,352 | $10,874 | Baseline needed | $17,252 |
| 59 | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic BodyworkUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lancaster, PA | $35,310 | $7,208 | Baseline needed | $11,971 |
| 60 | The Salon Professional AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rapid City, SD | $35,291 | $12,500 | Baseline needed | $18,146 |
| 61 | Lake Area Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Watertown, SD | $35,222 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $15,979 |
| 62 | Champ's Barber SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lancaster, PA | $35,126 | Not available | Baseline needed | $19,837 |
| 63 | Champ's Barber School-LebanonUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lebanon, PA | $35,126 | Not available | Baseline needed | $24,262 |
| 64 | Fort Myers Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fort Myers, FL | $35,118 | Not available | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 65 | South Hills Beauty AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Pittsburgh, PA | $34,978 | $7,662 | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 66 | The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness ChicagoUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Chicago, IL | $34,973 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $33,008 |
| 67 | Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Eau Claire, WI | $34,901 | $9,395 | Baseline needed | $12,285 |
| 68 | EINE IncUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Tewksbury, MA | $34,794 | $8,833 | Baseline needed | $22,951 |
| 69 | Wake Technical Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Raleigh, NC | $34,789 | $7,693 | Baseline needed | $8,759 |
| 70 | Modern Beauty AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Oxnard, CA | $34,783 | $9,950 | Baseline needed | $16,906 |
| 71 | Top Nails & Hair Beauty SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Taylorsville, UT | $34,761 | Not available | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 72 | Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Grand ForksUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Grand Forks, ND | $34,692 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $13,657 |
| 73 | Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-FargoUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fargo, ND | $34,692 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $12,773 |
| 74 | The Salon Professional Academy-TonawandaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Tonawanda, NY | $34,686 | $10,667 | Baseline needed | $18,346 |
| 75 | The Salon Professional Academy-NashvilleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Nashville, TN | $34,680 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $12,103 |
| 76 | Empire Beauty School-LaconiaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Laconia, NH | $34,674 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $11,382 |
| 77 | Empire Beauty School-HooksettUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Hooksett, NH | $34,674 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $10,549 |
| 78 | International Beauty SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Martinsburg, WV | $34,654 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $14,581 |
| 79 | Universal Spa Training AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Downers Grove, IL | $34,649 | $7,917 | Baseline needed | $21,965 |
| 80 | Paul Mitchell the School-PhoenixUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Phoenix, AZ | $34,623 | $17,667 | Baseline needed | $20,861 |
| 81 | Lowell Academy Hairstyling InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lowell, MA | $34,606 | $7,944 | Baseline needed | $14,839 |
| 82 | Keune Academy by 124Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lawrenceville, GA | $34,603 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $14,097 |
| 83 | Jupiter Beauty AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Boston, MA | $34,472 | $8,740 | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 84 | Keene Beauty AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Keene, NH | $34,453 | $11,966 | Baseline needed | $14,027 |
| 85 | Denmark CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Merrillville, IN | $34,448 | $12,685 | Baseline needed | $14,739 |
| 86 | Aveda Institute-Des MoinesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | West Des Moines, IA | $34,437 | $12,000 | Baseline needed | $18,552 |
| 87 | P B Cosmetology Education CenterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Gloucester, NJ | $34,406 | $7,667 | Baseline needed | $16,188 |
| 88 | The Salon Professional Academy-San JoseUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Jose, CA | $34,325 | $10,376 | Baseline needed | $18,418 |
| 89 | Artistic Academy of Hair DesignUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Morris Plains, NJ | $34,312 | $5,500 | Baseline needed | $19,085 |
| 90 | Paul Mitchell the School-AustinUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Austin, TX | $34,304 | $10,414 | Baseline needed | $19,002 |
| 91 | La James International College-Cedar FallsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cedar Falls, IA | $34,236 | Not available | Baseline needed | $18,569 |
| 92 | Paul Mitchell the School-St LouisUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | St. Louis, MO | $34,201 | $9,833 | Baseline needed | $24,907 |
| 93 | New England Hair AcademyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Malden, MA | $33,931 | $8,083 | Baseline needed | $16,917 |
| 94 | Academy of Massage and BodyworkUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bear, DE | $33,881 | $6,376 | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 95 | Skinworks School of Advanced SkincareUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Salt Lake City, UT | $33,815 | $7,667 | Baseline needed | $22,900 |
| 96 | Paul Mitchell the School-SpokaneUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Spokane Valley, WA | $33,791 | $10,556 | Baseline needed | $22,646 |
| 97 | International Academy of StyleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Reno, NV | $33,691 | $9,391 | Baseline needed | $19,209 |
| 98 | Baldwin Beauty School-South AustinUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Austin, TX | $33,683 | $9,052 | Baseline needed | $20,851 |
| 99 | Baldwin Beauty School-North AustinUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Austin, TX | $33,683 | $9,052 | Baseline needed | $18,134 |
| 100 | Paul Mitchell the School-ColumbusUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Columbus, OH | $33,519 | $13,833 | Baseline needed | $27,398 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.