Best Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
86
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$574,137
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$23,075
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc
Grad rate: 63.6% |
-$306,287 | $28,640 | $24,837 | $10,556 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Cinta Aveda Institute
Grad rate: 64.6% |
-$344,015 | $26,484 | $19,448 | $10,554 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
The Salon Professional Academy-San Jose
Grad rate: 81.2% |
-$376,278 | $24,953 | $21,331 | $10,376 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Paul Mitchell the School-Sacramento
Grad rate: 81.6% |
-$449,920 | $21,308 | $21,870 | $10,526 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Paul Mitchell the School-East Bay
Grad rate: 55.4% |
-$466,724 | $21,361 | $35,494 | $13,667 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College
Grad rate: 87.6% |
-$466,882 | $20,753 | $29,724 | $9,051 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Hilltop Beauty School
Grad rate: 70.6% |
-$470,220 | $18,489 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education
Grad rate: 53.6% |
-$482,530 | $18,469 | $11,910 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Bellus Academy-Chula Vista
Grad rate: 56.3% |
-$483,442 | $20,140 | $23,970 | $16,498 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Paul Mitchell the School-Pasadena
Grad rate: 65.4% |
-$486,601 | $20,399 | $37,338 | $12,773 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Federico Beauty Institute
Grad rate: 79.7% |
-$489,087 | $19,485 | $29,404 | $6,951 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Bellus Academy-Poway
Grad rate: 65.8% |
-$490,885 | $19,883 | $35,271 | $9,833 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa
Grad rate: 78.7% |
-$492,450 | $18,973 | $15,710 | $12,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
International College of Cosmetology
Grad rate: 51.3% |
-$493,504 | $18,234 | $6,488 | $8,664 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
J D Academy of Salon and Spa
Grad rate: 74.4% |
-$500,629 | $19,179 | $35,825 | $6,211 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Degrees by State
Browse Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.