Cosmetology programs in North Carolina
104 cosmetology programs at 68 North Carolina schools are in the federal data. Where earnings are reported (33 programs), the state median is $23,015 one year after completion, about the same as the national median of $23,061. Median borrower debt is $11,716.
104programs
68schools
$23,015median 1-yr earnings
$11,716median debt
| School | City | Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 52 | $31,583 | $11,716 | $133 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 75 | $30,686 | $13,083 | $149 |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 33 | $30,509 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Central Carolina Community College | Sanford, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 90 | $29,696 | $13,250 | $151 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | Salisbury, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 118 | $27,887 | $11,400 | $130 |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 78 | $27,632 | $9,582 | $109 |
| Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 177 | $26,929 | $9,833 | $112 |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 127 | $25,092 | $7,450 | $85 |
| Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology | Mooresville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 30 | $24,591 | $9,833 | $112 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 25 | $24,015 | – | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 13 | $24,001 | – | – |
| Empire Beauty School-Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 21 | $23,892 | $10,667 | $121 |
| Empire Beauty School-Winston-Salem | Winston-Salem, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 17 | $23,829 | $13,000 | $148 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Fayetteville | Fayetteville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 84 | $23,776 | $11,000 | $125 |
| Carteret Community College | Morehead City, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 35 | $23,238 | – | – |
| Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro | Greensboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 43 | $23,065 | $15,319 | $174 |
| Empire Beauty School-Pineville | Charlotte, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 24 | $23,015 | $14,177 | $161 |
| Empire Beauty School-Concord | Concord, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 55 | $23,015 | $14,177 | $161 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | Thomasville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 52 | $22,202 | $11,500 | $131 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 27 | $21,494 | – | – |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 30 | $21,480 | $12,531 | $142 |
| College of Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 40 | $21,302 | $8,816 | $100 |
| Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 48 | $21,296 | $14,388 | $164 |
| Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design | Greenville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 30 | $20,861 | $8,750 | $99 |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 20 | $19,261 | – | – |
| Winston Salem Barber School | Winston-Salem, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 60 | $18,814 | $9,512 | $108 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 19 | $18,399 | $21,250 | $242 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 35 | $16,638 | – | – |
| Leons Beauty School Inc | Greensboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 107 | $15,984 | – | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 47 | $15,833 | $9,500 | $108 |
| Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College | Durham, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | $15,307 | $16,827 | $191 |
| No Grease Barber School | Charlotte, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 10 | $15,307 | $16,827 | $191 |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 27 | $13,242 | – | – |
| College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 25 | not reported | – | – |
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Bladen Community College | Dublin, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 13 | not reported | – | – |
| Bladen Community College | Dublin, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | – | – |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 10 | not reported | – | – |
| Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 24 | not reported | – | – |
| Central Carolina Community College | Sanford, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | – | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 29 | not reported | – | – |
| Craven Community College | New Bern, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 49 | not reported | $5,388 | $61 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | Thomasville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | – | – |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 26 | not reported | $16,000 | $182 |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 22 | not reported | $13,829 | $157 |
| Halifax Community College | Weldon, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Halifax Community College | Weldon, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | – | – |
| Haywood Community College | Clyde, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 7 | not reported | – | – |
| Haywood Community College | Clyde, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 44 | not reported | – | – |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | – | – |
| James Sprunt Community College | Kenansville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| James Sprunt Community College | Kenansville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 20 | not reported | – | – |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 17 | not reported | – | – |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Martin Community College | Williamston, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Martin Community College | Williamston, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | – | – |
| Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | – | – |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 82 | not reported | $8,250 | $94 |
| Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 7 | not reported | – | – |
| Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | – | – |
| Pamlico Community College | Grantsboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 13 | not reported | – | – |
| Piedmont Community College | Roxboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 11 | not reported | – | – |
| Randolph Community College | Asheboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 37 | not reported | – | – |
| Randolph Community College | Asheboro, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | – | – |
| Roanoke-Chowan Community College | Ahoskie, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 0 | not reported | – | – |
| Roanoke-Chowan Community College | Ahoskie, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 0 | not reported | – | – |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | – | – |
| Rockingham Community College | Wentworth, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 2 | not reported | – | – |
| Rockingham Community College | Wentworth, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | Salisbury, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | – | – |
| Sampson Community College | Clinton, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Sampson Community College | Clinton, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 19 | not reported | – | – |
| Sandhills Community College | Pinehurst, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 12 | not reported | – | – |
| Sandhills Community College | Pinehurst, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | – | – |
| Southeastern Community College | Whiteville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 8 | not reported | – | – |
| Southeastern Community College | Whiteville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Southwestern Community College | Sylva, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 20 | not reported | – | – |
| Southwestern Community College | Sylva, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Stanly Community College | Albemarle, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 11 | not reported | – | – |
| Stanly Community College | Albemarle, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 5 | not reported | – | – |
| Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | – | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 30 | not reported | – | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Tri-County Community College | Murphy, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 13 | not reported | – | – |
| Tri-County Community College | Murphy, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 44 | not reported | – | – |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 18 | not reported | – | – |
| Carolina College of Hair Design Inc | Asheville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 22 | not reported | $6,500 | $74 |
| Beyond Measure Barbering Institute | Mebane, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 23 | not reported | $16,794 | $191 |
| One Stop Academy | Fayetteville, NC | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 5 | not reported | – | – |
*Scorecard's estimated monthly payment on the median debt over 10 years. “Not reported” means the Department suppressed or did not publish the figure.
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Cosmetology programs by city in North Carolina
Before you choose a cosmetology school in North Carolina
Every state licenses cosmetologists and sets its own required training hours, so a program must meet your state board's hour requirement to let you sit for the licensing exam. Check the state board first.
- Does the program meet my state board's required hours?
- What is the board exam pass rate for graduates?
- How are kit and supply costs billed?
More programs in North Carolina
All North Carolina programs · Cosmetology, Barbering & Esthetics nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study and Institution files (release dated 10/15/2026). Earnings are median annual earnings of completers working and not enrolled one year after finishing; debt is median federal loan debt of borrowers; both describe past cohorts and small programs are suppressed by the Department. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-paying cosmetology program in North Carolina?
By reported one-year earnings, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College leads at $31,583 in the certificate program, but compare cost and local jobs too.
How many cosmetology programs are in North Carolina?
The Scorecard lists 104 certificate or associate programs in this field at 68 schools in North Carolina.