New York
Best cosmetology programs in New York 2026
Lower Manhattan skyline. Photo by Percival Kestreltail, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ranked on the share of students who finish what they started, within half again the program's normal length, as reported per institution to the US Department of Education. In a clock-hour trade this is the outcome that matters most: the license needs the full hour count, so a student who leaves early has paid for hours that will never qualify them.
There is no such thing as an accredited cosmetology program, in New York or anywhere else, because the field has no programmatic accreditor. NACCAS, the body most beauty schools advertise, accredits the institution rather than the course, so an accredited school and an unaccredited one can run the same program. What that accreditation buys a student is federal financial aid eligibility. The license from New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law. is what decides whether your hours count toward the exam.
80
schools currently licensed
38
qualify to be ranked
6
excluded, under 40 enrolled students
Every school below trains in person. New York permits at most 50 percent of the 1,000 required hours to be taken as online theory, and the practical hours are earned on the clinic floor. How online study actually works
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#1
New York School of Esthetics & Day Spa
white plains, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
98%
Share of students who finish
- Esthetics
- $9,475 program cost
What the record shows
New York School of Esthetics & Day Spa trains in White Plains, licensed by the state board. This is a specialist: an esthetics license, not cosmetology. The work is skincare, facials and hair removal rather than hair, the course is a fraction of the hours a cosmetology license takes, and it does not license you to cut or color hair, so compare it with the other specialists here rather than with the full-service schools. Its approved programs include Advanced Brazilian Waxing Techniques, Esthetics 600 Course and Paramedical Esthetics, among 4 approved in total. The school graduates 98 percent, on a fall headcount of 120. Tuition is reported at $9,475 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $6,333 in federal loans, measured over 89 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 98 percent, 10 points over the 88 percent median, is a good sign. $9,475 is 37 percent under the $15,000 median, which for a shorter course is about what it should cost. 169 credentials in the year from a fall count of 120: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Verify the school's standing with the state board before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median skincare specialist earns $46,490, the bottom tenth $35,290 and the top tenth $77,550. The metro median is about 8 percent above the New York figure. The ninetieth percentile at $77,550 is 1.7 times the median, so the upside is real but bounded, and the floor sits 24 percent under the median, so the first year is lean but not the cliff it is in some states.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#2
ARROJO Academy
New York, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
98%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Barbering
- Esthetics
- $17,000 program cost
What the record shows
ARROJO Academy is licensed by the state board and trains in New York. Its license covers cosmetology, barbering and esthetics. With 8 licensed schools in New York, this one is competing for students rather than the only option. 98 percent of its students finish, out of 104 enrolled in the fall count. It charges $17,000 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. 139 graduates borrowed, at a median of $6,500 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $69 a month. Paying 13 percent over the $15,000 median buys 10 points of completion over the 88 percent median, and whether that is worth it depends on how sure you are of finishing anywhere. It awarded 141 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 104, which is what a clock-hour course that turns over more than one cohort a year looks like. Verify the school's standing with the state board before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
For cosmetologists around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the range runs $33,480 to $91,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles, with a median of $36,120. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. Esthetics and cosmetology do not pay alike around New York-Newark-Jersey City: esthetics carries a $46,490 median, roughly 29 percent above cosmetology. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#3
Sharp Edgez Barber Institute
Rochester, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
97%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Barbering
- Natural hair styling
- $9,900 program cost
What the record shows
Sharp Edgez Barber Institute is licensed by the state board and trains in Rochester. This is a specialist: a barber license, not cosmetology. The work is men's cutting, shaving and beard work, the course is a similar hour count to cosmetology, and it does not license color, chemical services or the full cosmetology scope, so compare it with the other specialists here rather than with the full-service schools. Its approved programs include Appearance Enhancement - Barbering, Barber Course and Barbering for Cosmetology Graduates, among 4 approved in total. Rochester has 6 licensed schools, so there is a real choice locally. 97 percent of its students finish, out of 57 enrolled in the fall count. Tuition is reported at $9,900 for the full program. 135 graduates borrowed, at a median of $6,233 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $66 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 97 percent, 9 points over the 88 percent median, is a good sign. $9,900 is 34 percent under the $15,000 median for a similar hour count, which makes it the cheaper route to a chair. 99 credentials in the year from a fall count of 57: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Check its license with the state board before enrolling, because that record and not this card is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
undefined Cosmetologists are the nearest series BLS carries to barbers here.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#4
Erie 1 BOCES
West Seneca, NY
96%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- 133 graduates a year
- $15,000 program cost
What the record shows
Erie 1 BOCES runs its cosmetology program in West Seneca and reports to the US Department of Education. Across all 383 students at the center, 96 percent finish, which covers cosmetology along with everything else it teaches. That completion rate is 8 points above the 88 percent median, but it is every program on campus, so treat it as a fact about the center and not about the cosmetology floor. Tuition is reported at $15,000. Graduates who borrowed took on $5,023 in federal loans at the median, 32 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $53 a month. It awarded 133 beauty credentials in the reporting year. Its hours count only under a current entry with the state board, so search that register by the school's legal name before any deposit.
Where it leads
For cosmetologists around Buffalo-Cheektowaga, the range runs $32,240 to $80,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles, with a median of $32,950. Against the state as a whole, the metro sits roughly 8 percent under on median pay. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. The occupation is about as common around Buffalo-Cheektowaga as it is nationally.
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#5
Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup
New York, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
94%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- $10,040 program cost
What the record shows
Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup is licensed by the state board and trains in New York. Its license covers cosmetology, esthetics and nail technology. The board has approved Advanced Esthetics, Advanced Esthetics : CIDESCO and NAIL SPECIALTY, among 4 approved in total. New York has 8 licensed schools, so there is a real choice locally. 94 percent of students see the course through, out of 641 enrolled. It charges $10,040 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. Borrowing here runs to a median of $5,250 in federal loans, measured over 387 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $56 a month. More finish here than at the typical school on this page, 94 percent against 88, and the price is 33 percent under the $15,000 median: the two numbers point the same way. It awarded 749 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 641, which is what a clock-hour course that turns over more than one cohort a year looks like. Ask the state board directly whether the license is in good standing, because a lapse while you are enrolled costs you the hours rather than the school.
Where it leads
Pay for cosmetologists around New York-Newark-Jersey City runs from $33,480 at the tenth percentile to $91,780 at the ninetieth, with a median of $36,120. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, esthetics pays a $46,490 median, about 33 percent above nail technology. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#6
Paul Mitchell the School-Schenectady
Schenectady, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
94%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Barbering
- $18,800 program cost
What the record shows
Paul Mitchell the School-Schenectady operates in Schenectady under license from the state board. Its license covers cosmetology and barbering. Its one approved program is Cosmetology and Ultimate Makeup. It is the only licensed school the board lists in Schenectady. Of the 87 students in its fall count, 94 percent complete the course they started. The published cost is $18,800 for the full program. Borrowing is pooled across Paul Mitchell campuses in the federal file, 136 borrowers at a median of $6,492 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $69 a month. Paying 25 percent over the $15,000 median buys 6 points of completion over the 88 percent median, and whether that is worth it depends on how sure you are of finishing anywhere. 72 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Ask the state board directly whether the license is in good standing, because a lapse while you are enrolled costs you the hours rather than the school.
Where it leads
undefined
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#7
Brittany Beauty Academy
Levittown, NY
94%
Share of students who finish
- 94% finish
- 129 graduates a year
- $17,000 program cost
What the record shows
Brittany Beauty Academy runs its cosmetology program in Levittown and reports to the US Department of Education. 94 percent of students see the course through, out of 141 enrolled. The published cost is $17,000 for the full program. The federal file reports borrowing for Brittany Beauty campuses together rather than for this one: a median of $6,333 in federal loans across 252 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. Paying 13 percent over the $15,000 median buys 6 points of completion over the 88 percent median, and whether that is worth it depends on how sure you are of finishing anywhere. 129 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. From 141 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Its hours count only under a current entry with the state board, so search that register by the school's legal name before any deposit.
Where it leads
For cosmetologists around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the range runs $33,480 to $91,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles, with a median of $36,120. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#8
Aesthetic Science Institute
Latham, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
94%
Share of students who finish
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- $9,500 program cost
What the record shows
Aesthetic Science Institute is licensed by the state board and trains in Latham. Its approved programs include Advanced Esthetics, Nail Specialty and Paramedical Esthetics, among 4 approved in total. The board lists no other licensed school in Latham. 94 percent of its students finish, out of 164 enrolled in the fall count. Tuition is reported at $9,500 for the full program. Graduates who borrowed took on $3,666 in federal loans at the median, 117 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $39 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 94 percent, 6 points over the 88 percent median, is a good sign. It awarded 164 beauty credentials in the reporting year. From 164 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Confirm the school's current license with the state board first: that entry is what qualifies your hours, whatever the federal figures say.
Where it leads
undefined The metro median runs about 11 percent below the New York figure.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#9
Shear Ego International School of Hair Design
Rochester, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
91%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Barbering
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- $16,316 program cost
What the record shows
Shear Ego International School of Hair Design trains in Rochester, licensed by the state board. Its license covers cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology. Its approved programs include Barber/Styling, Esthetics, Skin Care & Make Up and Hairdressing & Cosmetology, among 6 approved in total. Rochester has 6 licensed schools, so there is a real choice locally. The school graduates 91 percent, on a fall headcount of 204. The published cost is $16,316 for the full program. Graduates who borrowed took on $6,077 in federal loans at the median, 110 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $64 a month. Completion, price and borrowing all sit near the page's middle here, 91 percent against 88 and $16,316 against $15,000, 37 percent of the price borrowed against 40 for the page. Nothing federal separates it, so the clinic floor and the board file will. It awarded 162 beauty credentials in the reporting year. Ask the state board directly whether the license is in good standing, because a lapse while you are enrolled costs you the hours rather than the school.
Where it leads
Around Rochester, the median cosmetologist earns $36,830, the bottom tenth $32,240 and the top tenth $73,620. Nail technology pays a $32,760 median around Rochester, 11 percent under cosmetology.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#10
Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers
Nanuet, NY
89%
Share of students who finish
- 89% finish
- 320 graduates a year
- $15,100 program cost
What the record shows
Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers trains in Nanuet, and because it takes federal financial aid its outcomes are published per program. 89 percent of students see the course through, out of 285 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $15,100 for the full program. 304 graduates borrowed, at a median of $6,012 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $64 a month. Completion, price and borrowing all sit near the page's middle here, 89 percent against 88 and $15,100 against $15,000, 40 percent of the price borrowed against 40 for the page. Nothing federal separates it, so the clinic floor and the board file will. 320 credentials in the year from a fall count of 285: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Licensing is the business of the state board rather than the federal file's, so its register is where to confirm this school by its legal name first.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median cosmetologist earns $36,120, the bottom tenth $33,480 and the top tenth $91,780. There is almost no distance between entry pay and the middle, and a great deal between the middle and the top, so the first year is predictable and the tenth is what you make of it. The work is somewhat more concentrated around New York-Newark-Jersey City than nationally, at roughly 1.5 times the usual rate.
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#11
Empire Beauty School-Peekskill
Peekskill, NY
89%
Share of students who finish
- 89% finish
- 33 graduates a year
- $13,750 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Peekskill, Empire Beauty School-Peekskill is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. 89 percent of its students finish, out of 49 enrolled in the fall count. The published cost is $13,750 for the full program. The median graduate left with $10,599 in federal loans, across 31 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $112 a month. Completion and price both sit close to the page median, 89 percent against 88 and $13,750 against $15,000, so the number that separates it is debt: 77 percent of the price arrives as federal loans, more than at the typical school here. 33 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. The state board holds the record that counts your hours; find this school on it by its legal name and check it is current before a deposit.
Where it leads
undefined New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#12
Long Island Beauty School-Hempstead
Hempstead, NY
89%
Share of students who finish
- 89% finish
- 111 graduates a year
- $15,400 program cost
What the record shows
Long Island Beauty School-Hempstead trains in Hempstead, and because it takes federal financial aid its outcomes are published per program. Of the 101 students in its fall count, 89 percent complete the course they started. Tuition is reported at $15,400 for the full program. 68 graduates borrowed, at a median of $9,500 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $101 a month. Completion and price both sit close to the page median, 89 percent against 88 and $15,400 against $15,000, so the number that separates it is debt: 62 percent of the price arrives as federal loans, more than at the typical school here. It awarded 111 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 101, which is what a clock-hour course that turns over more than one cohort a year looks like. Licensing is the business of the state board rather than the federal file's, so its register is where to confirm this school by its legal name first.
Where it leads
For cosmetologists around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the range runs $33,480 to $91,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles, with a median of $36,120. The floor is almost the median here, so the whole spread is above it, and it belongs to people with a book. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#13
Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute
Bethpage, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
88%
Share of students who finish
- Barbering
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- Natural hair styling
- $11,495 program cost
What the record shows
Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute trains in Bethpage, licensed by the state board. Its approved programs include Advanced Esthetics, Advanced Natural Hair Styling and Nail Specialty Program, among 4 approved in total. It is the only licensed school the board lists in Bethpage. The school graduates 88 percent, on a fall headcount of 249. Tuition is reported at $11,495 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $4,045 in federal loans, measured over 136 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $43 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 88 percent, at the 88 percent median, is about what this page does. It awarded 395 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 249, which is what a clock-hour course that turns over more than one cohort a year looks like. Verify the school's standing with the state board before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
For manicurists around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the range runs $32,240 to $37,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles, with a median of $34,910. The bottom and the middle sit close together here, which means early pay is predictable and the upside has to be built rather than waited for. This is a dense market by national standards, 2.6 times the usual concentration around New York-Newark-Jersey City.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#14
New York Institute of Beauty
Islandia, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
87%
Share of students who finish
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- $11,496 program cost
What the record shows
New York Institute of Beauty trains in Islandia, licensed by the state board. Its approved programs include Advanced Esthetics, Brazilian Waxing and Esthetics & Makeup. The board lists no other licensed school in Islandia. 87 percent of its students finish, out of 211 enrolled in the fall count. The published cost is $11,496 for the full program. The median graduate left with $5,456 in federal loans, across 171 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $58 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 87 percent, 1 points under the 88 percent median, is about what this page does. It awarded 234 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 211, which is what a clock-hour course that turns over more than one cohort a year looks like. Check its license with the state board before enrolling, because that record and not this card is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
undefined The metro median is about 8 percent above the New York figure.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#15
Berkowits School of Electrolysis
Forest Hills, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
84%
Share of students who finish
- Esthetics
- $6,750 program cost
What the record shows
Berkowits School of Electrolysis operates in Forest Hills under license from the state board. The license here is an esthetics license, which means skincare, facials and hair removal rather than hair. It takes a fraction of the hours a cosmetology license takes and is a narrower ticket, and for someone who already knows they want that end of the trade, the narrowness is the point. It is the only licensed school the board lists in Forest Hills. The school graduates 84 percent, on a fall headcount of 102. Tuition is reported at $6,750 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $6,333 in federal loans, measured over 19 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. That is most of the $6,750 price arriving as debt, so the published cost and what a student actually finances are close to the same number here. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 84 percent, 4 points under the 88 percent median, is about what this page does. $6,750 is 55 percent under the $15,000 median, which for a shorter course is about what it should cost. 96 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. From 102 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Confirm the school's current license with the state board first: that entry is what qualifies your hours, whatever the federal figures say.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median skincare specialist earns $46,490, the bottom tenth $35,290 and the top tenth $77,550. The metro median is about 8 percent above the New York figure. The upside is capped near 1.7 times the median and the floor is 24 percent under it, a market where the first year is tight rather than dangerous and the ceiling is earned slowly. Local concentration around New York-Newark-Jersey City sits near the national average.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#16
Paul Mitchell the School-NYC
Staten Island, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
84%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- $15,500 program cost
What the record shows
Paul Mitchell the School-NYC trains in Staten Island, licensed by the state board. Its license covers cosmetology, esthetics and nail technology. The board has approved Nail Care and Waxing. 84 percent of students see the course through, out of 96 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $15,500 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $5,500 in federal loans, measured over 58 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $58 a month. It is close to the median school on this page on completion, price and borrowing, 84 percent against 88 and $15,500 against $15,000, 35 percent of the price borrowed against 40 for the page, which is neither a warning nor a recommendation: the choice comes down to the visit and the board file. 52 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Confirm the school's current license with the state board first: that entry is what qualifies your hours, whatever the federal figures say.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median cosmetologist earns $36,120, the bottom tenth $33,480 and the top tenth $91,780. The floor is almost the median here, so the whole spread is above it, and it belongs to people with a book.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#17
Western Suffolk BOCES
Northport, NY
84%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- 42 graduates a year
- $45,900 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Northport, Western Suffolk BOCES is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. 84 percent of students across the center finish, out of 286 enrolled, and cosmetology is one of the programs inside that figure. That 84 percent is ordinary for this page, and it belongs to the whole campus; ask the cosmetology department for the program's own figure. The published tuition is $45,900. That price is roughly 3.1 times the $15,000 median, which for a public program is unusual and worth asking about. 34 graduates borrowed, at a median of $5,278 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $56 a month. 42 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Licensing is the business of the state board rather than the federal file's, so its register is where to confirm this school by its legal name first.
Where it leads
Pay for cosmetologists around New York-Newark-Jersey City runs from $33,480 at the tenth percentile to $91,780 at the ninetieth, with a median of $36,120. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#18
Career School of NY
Staten Island, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
82%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- $6,830 program cost
What the record shows
Career School of NY is licensed by the state board and trains in Staten Island. Its license covers cosmetology and esthetics. Of 112 enrolled in the fall count, 82 percent finish. Tuition is reported at $6,830 for the full program. Cheap, but 6 points fewer of its students finish than the 88 percent median, and in a clock-hour trade an unfinished course is the expensive outcome: you have paid for hours that never become a license. 51 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. The school is a private nonprofit, a category covering only a handful of cosmetology providers nationally. Check its license with the state board before enrolling, because that record and not this card is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
Half of cosmetologists around New York-Newark-Jersey City earn under $36,120, with the tenth percentile at $33,480 and the ninetieth at $91,780. The floor is almost the median here, so the whole spread is above it, and it belongs to people with a book. Esthetics and cosmetology do not pay alike around New York-Newark-Jersey City: esthetics carries a $46,490 median, roughly 29 percent above cosmetology. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#19
Continental School of Beauty Culture-Mattydale
Mattydale, NY
82%
Share of students who finish
- 82% finish
- 220 graduates a year
- $9,500 program cost
What the record shows
Continental School of Beauty Culture-Mattydale teaches cosmetology in Mattydale, with its results published federally. 82 percent of students see the course through, out of 152 enrolled. It charges $9,500 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. Borrowing is pooled across Continental School of Beauty Culture campuses in the federal file, 743 borrowers at a median of $6,333 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. $9,500 is 37 percent under the $15,000 median, and 6 points fewer finish than the 88 percent median. The saving only counts if you are one of the ones who gets through. 220 credentials in the year from a fall count of 152: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Its hours count only under a current entry with the state board, so search that register by the school's legal name before any deposit.
Where it leads
Around Syracuse, the median cosmetologist earns $34,810, the bottom tenth $32,240 and the top tenth $121,720. undefined
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#20
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-New York
New York, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
80%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- $19,000 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Brooklyn, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-New York is on the state board register. Its license covers cosmetology. Brooklyn has 7 licensed schools, so there is a real choice locally. 80 percent of students see the course through, out of 293 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $19,000 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $6,333 in federal loans, measured over 223 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. That is the pairing to be wary of: 8 points fewer of its students finish than the 88 percent median, at a price 27 percent over the $15,000 median. Ask the school directly why students leave before you commit. It awarded 197 beauty credentials in the reporting year. Check its license with the state board before enrolling, because that record and not this card is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median cosmetologist earns $36,120, the bottom tenth $33,480 and the top tenth $91,780. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. Concentration around New York-Newark-Jersey City runs modestly above the national rate, about 1.5 times, or 27,660 people in the occupation.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#21
Continental School of Beauty Culture-West Seneca
West Seneca, NY
78%
Share of students who finish
- 78% finish
- 91 graduates a year
- $9,500 program cost
What the record shows
Based in West Seneca, Continental School of Beauty Culture-West Seneca is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. The school graduates 78 percent, on a fall headcount of 78. It charges $9,500 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. Borrowing here runs to a median of $6,333 in federal loans, measured over 165 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. $9,500 is 37 percent under the $15,000 median, and 10 points fewer finish than the 88 percent median. The saving only counts if you are one of the ones who gets through. 91 credentials in the year from a fall count of 78: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Its hours count only under a current entry with the state board, so search that register by the school's legal name before any deposit.
Where it leads
undefined The metro median runs about 8 percent below the New York figure.
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#22
Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology
Albany, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
77%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- $15,600 program cost
What the record shows
Orlo School of Hair Design and Cosmetology is licensed by the state board and trains in Albany. Its license covers cosmetology. It is the only licensed school the board lists in Albany. The school graduates 77 percent, on a fall headcount of 56. The published cost is $15,600 for the full program. 11 points fewer of its students finish than the 88 percent median, priced within 4 percent of the $15,000 median, so you would be paying the going rate for worse odds of getting through. Ask the school what happens to the ones who leave. It awarded 45 beauty credentials in the reporting year. The license from the state board is the thing to verify before you pay, since that is what decides whether these hours count toward your exam.
Where it leads
undefined The floor is almost the median here, so the whole spread is above it, and it belongs to people with a book.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#23
Westchester School of Beauty Culture
Mount Vernon, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
77%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- $14,650 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Mount Vernon, Westchester School of Beauty Culture is on the state board register. Its license covers cosmetology. The board has approved a single program here, Hairdressing & Cosmetology. Of the 59 students in its fall count, 77 percent complete the course they started. Tuition is reported at $14,650 for the full program. 11 points fewer of its students finish than the 88 percent median, priced within 3 percent of the $15,000 median, so you would be paying the going rate for worse odds of getting through. Ask the school what happens to the ones who leave. It awarded 46 beauty credentials in the reporting year. The license from the state board is the thing to verify before you pay, since that is what decides whether these hours count toward your exam.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median cosmetologist earns $36,120, the bottom tenth $33,480 and the top tenth $91,780. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
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#24
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
Sayville, NY
77%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- $23,633 program cost
What the record shows
Eastern Suffolk BOCES teaches cosmetology in Sayville, with its results published federally. 77 percent of students across the center finish, out of 310 enrolled, and cosmetology is one of the programs inside that figure. That 77 percent is low for this page, but it is the center's rate and the cosmetology program is a small part of it; the cosmetology department's own completions are the check. Tuition is reported at $23,633. That price is 58 percent over the $15,000 median, which for a public program is unusual and worth asking about. Its hours count only under a current entry with the state board, so search that register by the school's legal name before any deposit.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median cosmetologist earns $36,120, the bottom tenth $33,480 and the top tenth $91,780. New York-Newark-Jersey City employs the trade at about 1.5 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#25
Long Island Beauty School-Hauppauge
Hauppauge, NY · Licensed private career school (BPSS)
75%
Share of students who finish
- Cosmetology
- Barbering
- Esthetics
- Nail technology
- $15,400 program cost
What the record shows
Long Island Beauty School-Hauppauge operates in Hauppauge under license from the state board. Its license covers cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology. Its approved programs include Hairdressing & Cosmetology and Nail Specialty. It is the only licensed school the board lists in Hauppauge. 75 percent of students see the course through, out of 232 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $15,400 for the full program. Graduates who borrowed took on $6,265 in federal loans at the median, 139 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $66 a month. The price is close to the $15,000 median and the completion is not: 75 percent against 88. In a clock-hour course that is the wrong half of the trade, and the reason to ask hard questions before a deposit. It awarded 92 beauty credentials in the reporting year. The license from the state board is the thing to verify before you pay, since that is what decides whether these hours count toward your exam.
Where it leads
Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median cosmetologist earns $36,120, the bottom tenth $33,480 and the top tenth $91,780. Entry pay and typical pay nearly meet, and everything past the median is a following: the upside is real and it is all earned above the middle. Around New York-Newark-Jersey City, esthetics pays a $46,490 median, about 33 percent above nail technology. The work is somewhat more concentrated around New York-Newark-Jersey City than nationally, at roughly 1.5 times the usual rate.
Sources: US Department of Education, College Scorecard; New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read 2026-08-28.
- New York School of Esthetics & D... 98% 98%
- ARROJO Academy 98% 98%
- Sharp Edgez Barber Institute 97% 97%
- Erie 1 BOCES 96% 96%
- Christine Valmy International Sc... 94% 94%
- Paul Mitchell the School-Schenec... 94% 94%
- Brittany Beauty Academy 94% 94%
- Aesthetic Science Institute 94% 94%
- Shear Ego International School o... 91% 91%
- Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers 89% 89%
Which other cosmetology schools in New York are state licensed?
These New York cosmetology schools hold a current license from New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law. but have no published earnings figure, because the ranking above reads federal data that covers only schools taking federal financial aid. Their hours count toward the New York exam exactly as the ranked schools' hours do. They are listed by city rather than ordered, since nothing published about them supports an ordering.
| School | City | Board record | Approved to teach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion Correctional Facility | Albion | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology Licensing Program |
| Attica Correctional Facility | Attica | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Appearance Enhancement - Barbering |
| Auburn Correctional Facility | Auburn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Barbering License Preparation |
| Kismet Beauty and Wellness Institute INC | Bayshore | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Hybrid Advanced Esthetics, Hybrid Esthetics, Hybrid Nail Specialty |
| Bedford Hills Correctional Facility | Bedford Hills | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology Licensing Program |
| Taconic Correctional Facility | Bedford Hills | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology Licensing Program |
| American Barber Institute | Bronx | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | BARBER OPERATOR |
| Belle Adore LLC | Bronx | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Esthetics, Esthetics hybrid, Waxing |
| Dialexton School of Allied Health Professions | Brooklyn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Esthetics |
| E.d.p. School | Brooklyn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Esthetics |
| Kings Barbering Establishment, INC | Brooklyn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Barber Infection Control, Master Barber |
| Modern International Beauty School INC | Brooklyn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Appearance Enhancement - Esthetics, Cosmetology (Chinese), Cosmetology Course |
| NY Career Training Institute | Brooklyn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Esthetics, HYBRID Esthetics, HYBRID Esthetics in Russian |
| The Stuart School of Career Technology, INC | Brooklyn | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology / Hairdressing, Nail Specialty, Nail Specialty in Chinese |
| Mesha Cosmetology Career Institute | Buffalo | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | cosmetology |
| Long Island Skin Lash and Brow Academy INC | Centereach | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Esthetics, Esthetics - Spanish, Nail Specialty |
| International Barber & Beauty Institute | Central Islip | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | 360-hour Barber Training Course for Advanced Students, 630-hour Barber Training Program, Cosmetology Course |
| Vincenzo Federico School of Barbering, LLC | Clifton Park | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Barbering |
| Greene Correctional Facility | Coxsackie | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Barber License Preparation Program |
| Clinton Correctional Facility | Dannemora | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Barbering License Preparation |
| Aa Plus Beauty School | Flushing | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology Chinese, Cosmetology English, Cosmetology Korean |
| Ace Beauty Academy INC | Flushing | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | cosmetology |
| Beauty Beauty School, INC | Flushing | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology, Cosmetology Chinese, Cosmetology Korean |
| Daisy Beauty School INC | Flushing | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Cosmetology/Hairdressing, Esthetics, Esthetics Hybrid |
| International Beauty Institute, INC | Flushing | Licensed private career school (BPSS) | Esthetics-English, Esthetics-Korean, Esthetics-spanish |
Showing 25 of the 55 remaining licensed schools, ordered by city. The full file is with New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law. .
How do you become a cosmetologist in New York in 2026?
To become a cosmetologist in New York you need 1,000 clock hours at a school licensed by New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., then a passing score on the state exam. At the pace most clock-hour schools run, that is roughly 7.7 months full time. No state sets a lower bar. New York sits at the floor of a range that runs to 2,000 hours elsewhere, so the same license costs twice the time in some states.
The count is only good if the school was licensed by New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law. throughout, so the license is worth confirming before you enroll.
How much do cosmetologists make in New York in 2026?
Cosmetologists in New York earn a median of $35,760 , with the bottom tenth on $33,960 and the top tenth on $88,540 . The related licenses pay differently again, which matters because you pick the license before you start the hours.
- Cosmetologists $35,760 $35,760
- Nail technicians $34,660 $34,660
- Salon managers $58,900 $58,900
- Estheticians $42,910 $42,910
- Makeup artists $97,150 $97,150
Where do cosmetologists make the most money in New York?
Cosmetologists make the most money in New York around Rochester, where the median is $36,830, and the least around Utica-Rome at $32,520. At 13 percent, the spread across New York is narrow, and location will not decide your income the way it does in some states.
The statewide median sits at $35,760, so the metros above it are carrying the average up.
- Rochester $36,830 $36,830
- New York-Newark-Jersey City $36,120 $36,120
- Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-N... $35,010 $35,010
- Syracuse $34,810 $34,810
- Kingston $34,720 $34,720
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy $34,670 $34,670
- Binghamton $33,620 $33,620
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga $32,950 $32,950
- Utica-Rome $32,520 $32,520
Where are the cosmetology schools in New York?
The licensed cosmetology schools in New York cluster hardest in New York, which holds 8 of the 80 the board currently lists. At 10 percent of the state total, no single city dominates training in New York.
37 towns have exactly one licensed school, which is worth knowing if you cannot easily move: losing that school means losing the option locally.
- New York 8 8
- Brooklyn 7 7
- Flushing 7 7
- Rochester 6 6
- Bronx 4 4
- Staten Island 3 3
- Bedford Hills 2 2
- Mount Vernon 2 2
- White Plains 2 2
- Williamsville 2 2
Is it better to be a cosmetologist, esthetician or nail tech in New York?
In New York, makeup artists are the best paid of the beauty licenses at a $97,150 median. That is above the $35,760 cosmetologist median, so the longer general license is not automatically the better-paid route here.
Each is a separate license with its own program and its own hour count, which is why the highest median is not automatically the best return on the time.
| Occupation | Median pay | Employed in state |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup artists | $97,150 | 190 |
| Salon managers | $58,900 | 8,580 |
| Estheticians | $42,910 | 3,510 |
| Nail technicians | $34,660 | 19,710 |
Can you use a cosmetology license from another state in New York?
Using a cosmetology license from another state in New York means satisfying New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., which decides case by case, and the number it weighs is hours. Against the other Northeast states, New York is it asks 206 fewer hours than the regional average of 1,206, and it pays about 9 percent below the regional average.
That matters if you might move, because a license does not travel automatically: the receiving state decides what your hours are worth, and a shorter program can be the harder one to carry across a line.
| State | Hours required | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| New York (this state) | 1,000 | $35,760 |
| Vermont | 1,000 | $48,650 |
| Connecticut | 1,500 | $44,620 |
| Maine | 1,500 | $44,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1,000 | $37,290 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,250 | $36,790 |
| New Jersey | 1,200 | $36,150 |
| New Hampshire | 1,200 | $34,650 |
| Rhode Island | 1,000 | $31,200 |
What does this New York cosmetology program ranking not tell you?
This New York cosmetology program ranking does not tell you everything you need. This is a completion rate, not a teaching inspection, and a school can lift it by enrolling only students likely to finish just as easily as by teaching well. It is reported for the institution rather than for the cosmetology course alone, which is exact at the beauty schools that teach nothing else and broader at a community college, where cosmetology is one program among many; each card says which kind it is describing. Schools enrolling fewer than 40 students are left out, because a completion rate over a handful of people moves too far on one person's decision to be worth ordering on. It covers only schools that take federal financial aid, a large share of the field but not all of it, so a school missing here takes no federal aid rather than performing badly. Finishing also says nothing about whether a school's hours will count toward your license, which is what the board record on this page is for.
Check a school against the NACCAS accredited school search if federal financial aid matters to you, and against New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law. for the license itself.
Common questions about cosmetology programs in New York
What makes the best cosmetology programs in New York rank highly here?
How many cosmetology programs in New York hold a current license?
Should you choose a NACCAS-accredited school in New York?
How much does cosmetology school cost in New York?
Are the best cosmetology programs in New York accredited?
Where does this New York cosmetology program data come from?
This New York cosmetology program data comes from New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law., read on 2026-08-28, from the board's own license records rather than from any school directory. The cost and debt figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard , which publishes them per institution for cosmetology programs at every school taking federal financial aid.
New York State Education Department, Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (schools). The Department of State licenses the individuals separately under the Appearance Enhancement law.Read 2026-08-28.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 , metro and state pay, employment and concentration behind every wage figure on this page
- US Department of Education, College Scorecard, field of study CIP 12.04 , full program cost, median federal debt and the monthly cost of that debt, per institution