Utah
Best cosmetology programs in Utah 2026
Salt Lake City skyline. Photo by 888emmanuelc888, licensed under CC BY 4.0, 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 Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce is what decides whether your hours count toward the exam.
30
schools reporting federally
27
qualify to be ranked
3
excluded, under 40 enrolled students
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#1
Esteem Academy of Beauty
South Ogden, UT
100%
Share of students who finish
- 100% finish
- 32 graduates a year
- $17,200 program cost
What the record shows
Esteem Academy of Beauty runs its cosmetology program in South Ogden and reports to the US Department of Education. 100 percent of students see the course through, out of 56 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $17,200 for the full program. $17,200 is within 7 percent of the $16,075 median, and the completion is not ordinary: 100 percent against 84. That is the better half of the trade. The school conferred 32 credentials in the year reported. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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 The metro median runs about 14 percent below the Utah figure. Ogden employs the trade at only about 0.7 times the national rate, so graduates enter a thinner local market than average.
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#2
Top Nails & Hair Beauty School
Taylorsville, UT
92%
Share of students who finish
- 92% finish
- 139 graduates a year
- $2,650 program cost
What the record shows
Top Nails & Hair Beauty School runs its cosmetology program in Taylorsville and reports to the US Department of Education. 92 percent of its students finish, out of 92 enrolled in the fall count. It charges $2,650 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. 8 points more of its students finish than the 84 percent median, and it charges 84 percent less than the $16,075 median to do it, which is the right direction on both counts. 139 credentials in the year from a fall count of 92: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. The license from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing is still the thing to verify before you pay, since that is what decides whether these hours count toward your exam.
Where it leads
Pay for cosmetologists around Salt Lake City-Murray runs from $22,230 at the tenth percentile to $80,410 at the ninetieth, with a median of $40,720. Most of that range is a following, which is why two graduates of the same program can end up far apart. The metro median is about 16 percent above the Utah figure. The occupation is about as common around Salt Lake City-Murray as it is nationally.
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#3
Medspa Academies
South Jordan, UT
92%
Share of students who finish
- 92% finish
- 217 graduates a year
- $17,500 program cost
What the record shows
Medspa Academies teaches esthetics in South Jordan, with its results published federally. 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. Of the 241 students in its fall count, 92 percent complete the course they started. It charges $17,500 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. The federal file reports borrowing for Medspa Academies campuses together rather than for this one: a median of $8,443 in federal loans across 214 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $90 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 92 percent, 8 points over the 84 percent median, is a good sign. $17,500 is within 9 percent of the $16,075 median for a course shorter than cosmetology, which is dear for esthetics and worth asking about. It awarded 217 beauty credentials in the reporting year. From 241 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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
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#4
Collectiv Academy
Sandy, UT
91%
Share of students who finish
- 91% finish
- 69 graduates a year
- $17,400 program cost
What the record shows
Collectiv Academy teaches cosmetology in Sandy, with its results published federally. Of the 70 students in its fall count, 91 percent complete the course they started. The published cost is $17,400 for the full program. Borrowing is pooled across Collectiv campuses in the federal file, 32 borrowers at a median of $8,722 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $92 a month. 7 points more of its students finish than the 84 percent median, priced within 9 percent of the $16,075 median, so you pay the going rate for better than average odds of getting through. 69 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. From 70 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Confirm the school's current license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing first: federal reporting is about financial aid, and it is the state license that qualifies your hours.
Where it leads
Half of cosmetologists around Salt Lake City-Murray earn under $40,720, with the tenth percentile at $22,230 and the ninetieth at $80,410. A gap that size tracks clientele rather than seniority. Against the state as a whole, the metro runs roughly 16 percent higher on median pay. Salt Lake City-Murray employs the trade at close to the national rate, around 1,270 people.
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#5
Mandalyn Academy
American Fork, UT
90%
Share of students who finish
- 90% finish
- 92 graduates a year
- $8,495 program cost
What the record shows
Based in American Fork, Mandalyn Academy is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. 90 percent of students see the course through, out of 55 enrolled. It charges $8,495 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. The median graduate left with $6,333 in federal loans, across 54 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $67 a month. 6 points more of its students finish than the 84 percent median, and it charges 47 percent less than the $16,075 median to do it, which is the right direction on both counts. 92 credentials in the year from a fall count of 55: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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
Half of cosmetologists around Provo-Orem-Lehi earn under $31,720, with the tenth percentile at $21,810 and the ninetieth at $58,890. Against the state as a whole, the metro sits roughly 10 percent under on median pay. The bottom of this market sits well below its middle, so the first year is likely to be lean and worth planning for. The work is somewhat more concentrated around Provo-Orem-Lehi than nationally, at roughly 1.3 times the usual rate.
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#6
Evans Hairstyling College-St George
Saint George, UT
88%
Share of students who finish
- 88% finish
- 37 graduates a year
- $15,000 program cost
What the record shows
Evans Hairstyling College-St George runs its cosmetology program in Saint George and reports to the US Department of Education. Of the 66 students in its fall count, 88 percent complete the course they started. Tuition is reported at $15,000 for the full program. Completion and price both sit near the page's middle, 88 percent against 84 and $15,000 against $16,075. Nothing federal separates it, so the clinic floor and the board file will. It awarded 37 beauty credentials in the reporting year. Verify the school's standing with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
In Utah, the median cosmetologist earns $35,140, the bottom tenth $21,810 and the top tenth $75,860. That is a wide spread, and it is mostly the difference between building a client book and not.
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#7
Taylor Andrews Academy-St George
St. George, UT
88%
Share of students who finish
- 88% finish
- 116 graduates a year
- $16,000 program cost
What the record shows
Taylor Andrews Academy-St George trains in St. George, and because it takes federal financial aid its outcomes are published per program. 88 percent of its students finish, out of 127 enrolled in the fall count. It charges $16,000 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 $7,667 in federal loans, measured over 115 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $81 a month. It is close to the median school on this page on completion, price and borrowing, 88 percent against 84 and $16,000 against $16,075, 48 percent of the price borrowed against 49 for the page, which is neither a warning nor a recommendation: the choice comes down to the visit and the board file. The school conferred 116 credentials in the year reported. From 127 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Check its license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before enrolling, because that record and not the federal listing is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
Pay for cosmetologists around St. George runs from $20,920 at the tenth percentile to $61,670 at the ninetieth, with a median of $30,200. The metro median runs about 14 percent below the Utah figure. The spread above the median is wide enough that averages mislead here. What separates the top is a client list built over years. On concentration, St. George is unremarkable, tracking the national rate closely.
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#8
Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City
Holladay, UT
88%
Share of students who finish
- 88% finish
- 118 graduates a year
- $20,000 program cost
What the record shows
Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City runs its cosmetology program in Holladay and reports to the US Department of Education. 88 percent of students see the course through, out of 287 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $20,000 for the full program. The median graduate left with $10,555 in federal loans, across 279 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $112 a month. It charges 24 percent over the $16,075 median and finishes about as many of its students as the typical school here, so the extra price is not buying a better completion rate. It awarded 118 beauty credentials in the reporting year. Check its license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before enrolling, because that record and not the federal listing is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
undefined undefined The metro median is about 16 percent above the Utah figure.
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#9
Avalon Institute-Layton
Layton, UT
86%
Share of students who finish
- 86% finish
- 90 graduates a year
- $17,650 program cost
What the record shows
Avalon Institute-Layton runs its cosmetology program in Layton and reports to the US Department of Education. 86 percent of its students finish, out of 186 enrolled in the fall count. Tuition is reported at $17,650 for the full program. 860 graduates borrowed, at a median of $7,426 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $79 a month. It is close to the median school on this page on completion, price and borrowing, 86 percent against 84 and $17,650 against $16,075, 42 percent of the price borrowed against 49 for the page, which is neither a warning nor a recommendation: the choice comes down to the visit and the board file. The school conferred 90 credentials in the year reported. The license from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing is still the thing to verify before you pay, since that is what decides whether these hours count toward your exam.
Where it leads
undefined Ogden employs the trade at only about 0.7 times the national rate, so graduates enter a thinner local market than average.
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#10
Cameo College of Essential Beauty
Murray, UT
85%
Share of students who finish
- 85% finish
- 297 graduates a year
- $4,100 program cost
What the record shows
Cameo College of Essential Beauty runs its cosmetology program in Murray and reports to the US Department of Education. 85 percent of students see the course through, out of 257 enrolled. The published cost is $4,100 for the full program. The median graduate left with $5,500 in federal loans, across 148 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $58 a month. That median loan is larger than the $4,100 price, so the typical borrower here finances more than tuition. It charges 74 percent less than the $16,075 median and finishes about as many of its students as the typical school here, so the saving is real rather than a discount for worse odds. 297 credentials in the year from a fall count of 257: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. Confirm the school's current license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing first: federal reporting is about financial aid, and it is the state license that qualifies your hours.
Where it leads
Around Salt Lake City-Murray, the median cosmetologist earns $40,720, the bottom tenth $22,230 and the top tenth $80,410. A gap that size tracks clientele rather than seniority. The metro median is about 16 percent above the Utah figure. Salt Lake City-Murray employs the trade at close to the national rate, around 1,270 people.
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#11
Renaissance Academie
Provo, UT
85%
Share of students who finish
- 85% finish
- 209 graduates a year
- $18,500 program cost
What the record shows
Renaissance Academie runs its cosmetology program in Provo and reports to the US Department of Education. 85 percent of students see the course through, out of 188 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $18,500 for the full program. Graduates who borrowed took on $7,220 in federal loans at the median, 64 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $77 a month. It charges 15 percent over the $16,075 median and finishes about as many of its students as the typical school here, so the extra price is not buying a better completion rate. 209 credentials in the year from a fall count of 188: the program cycles more than once a year, so the two figures are different populations rather than a contradiction. The license from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing is still the thing to verify before you pay, since that is what decides whether these hours count toward your exam.
Where it leads
undefined The metro median runs about 10 percent below the Utah figure. Provo-Orem-Lehi employs the trade at about 1.3 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#12
Mountainland Technical College
Lehi, UT
84%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- 239 graduates a year
- $3,621 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Lehi, Mountainland Technical College is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. 84 percent of students across the college finish, out of 2,774 enrolled, and cosmetology is one of the programs inside that figure. Read that 84 percent as the college's rate, not the cosmetology floor's, so it neither ranks this program up nor down. Tuition is reported at $3,621. That price is 77 percent under the $16,075 median, which is what public pricing looks like and the reason it is a fraction of the academies here. The school conferred 239 credentials in the year reported. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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 Provo-Orem-Lehi runs from $21,810 at the tenth percentile to $58,890 at the ninetieth, with a median of $31,720. The metro median runs about 10 percent below the Utah figure. There is a real gap between entry pay and the median here, which is the part of the trade that surprises people who costed only the tuition. Provo-Orem-Lehi employs the trade at about 1.3 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#13
Aveda Institute-Provo
Provo, UT
84%
Share of students who finish
- 104 graduates a year
- $19,950 program cost
What the record shows
Aveda Institute-Provo teaches cosmetology in Provo, with its results published federally. Of 164 enrolled in the fall count, 84 percent finish. The published cost is $19,950 for the full program. Graduates who borrowed took on $8,166 in federal loans at the median, 99 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $87 a month. A median completion at a price 24 percent over the $16,075 median: ask what the extra 24 percent pays for, because it is not finishing. 104 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Confirm the school's current license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing first: federal reporting is about financial aid, and it is the state license that qualifies your hours.
Where it leads
Around Provo-Orem-Lehi, the median cosmetologist earns $31,720, the bottom tenth $21,810 and the top tenth $58,890. The metro median runs about 10 percent below the Utah figure. The bottom of this market sits well below its middle, so the first year is likely to be lean and worth planning for. Concentration around Provo-Orem-Lehi runs modestly above the national rate, about 1.3 times, or 750 people in the occupation.
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#14
Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-Provo
Provo, UT
83%
Share of students who finish
- 83% finish
- 93 graduates a year
- $18,000 program cost
What the record shows
Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-Provo runs its cosmetology program in Provo and reports to the US Department of Education. Of the 147 students in its fall count, 83 percent complete the course they started. It charges $18,000 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design campuses share a debt figure in the federal file, $10,556 in federal loans at the median over 233 borrowers, so read it as the chain's number rather than this floor's. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $112 a month. $18,000 is 12 percent over the $16,075 median, for a completion rate within 1 points of the 84 percent median, which is a premium with nothing on this record to justify it. It awarded 93 beauty credentials in the reporting year. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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 Provo-Orem-Lehi employs the trade at about 1.3 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#15
Tooele Technical College
Tooele, UT
81%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- 69 graduates a year
- $3,294 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Tooele, Tooele Technical College is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. Across all 303 students at the college, 81 percent finish, which covers cosmetology along with everything else it teaches. That 81 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 $3,294. That price is 80 percent under the $16,075 median, which is what public pricing looks like and the reason it is a fraction of the academies here. 69 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Verify the school's standing with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
Pay for cosmetologists around Salt Lake City-Murray runs from $22,230 at the tenth percentile to $80,410 at the ninetieth, with a median of $40,720. A gap that size tracks clientele rather than seniority. The metro median is about 16 percent above the Utah figure. On concentration, Salt Lake City-Murray is unremarkable, tracking the national rate closely.
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#16
Paul Mitchell the School-Logan
Logan, UT
78%
Share of students who finish
- 78% finish
- 122 graduates a year
- $16,075 program cost
What the record shows
Paul Mitchell the School-Logan trains in Logan, and because it takes federal financial aid its outcomes are published per program. The school graduates 78 percent, on a fall headcount of 133. Tuition is reported at $16,075 for the full program. The median graduate left with $7,820 in federal loans, across 120 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $83 a month. 6 points fewer of its students finish than the 84 percent median, priced exactly at the $16,075 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. The school conferred 122 credentials in the year reported. From 133 enrolled, that is one of the higher-throughput floors on this page. Verify the school's standing with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
Around Logan, the median cosmetologist earns $30,560, the bottom tenth $20,680 and the top tenth $59,980. The metro median runs about 13 percent below the Utah figure.
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#17
Bridgerland Technical College
Logan, UT
75%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- 54 graduates a year
- $3,206 program cost
What the record shows
Bridgerland Technical College teaches cosmetology in Logan, with its results published federally. Across all 1,567 students at the college, 75 percent finish, which covers cosmetology along with everything else it teaches. That 75 percent is low for this page, but it is the college's rate and the cosmetology program is a small part of it; the cosmetology department's own completions are the check. The published tuition is $3,206. That price is 80 percent under the $16,075 median, which is what public pricing looks like and the reason it is a fraction of the academies here. Its 54 completions a year make cosmetology a small program inside a college of 1,567. Verify the school's standing with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
Around Logan, the median cosmetologist earns $30,560, the bottom tenth $20,680 and the top tenth $59,980. The metro median runs about 13 percent below the Utah figure. Logan employs the trade at only about 0.7 times the national rate, so graduates enter a thinner local market than average.
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#18
Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare
Salt Lake City, UT
73%
Share of students who finish
- 73% finish
- 96 graduates a year
- $15,000 program cost
What the record shows
Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare teaches esthetics in Salt Lake City, with its results published federally. It trains toward an esthetics license only, which is a fraction of the hours a cosmetology license takes, leads to skincare, facials and hair removal rather than hair, and does not license you to cut or color hair. That makes it a different decision from the full cosmetology schools on this page rather than a smaller version of one. 73 percent of its students finish, out of 117 enrolled in the fall count. It charges $15,000 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. The median graduate left with $7,450 in federal loans, across 85 borrowers. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $79 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 73 percent, 11 points under the 84 percent median, is the first thing to ask about. $15,000 is within 7 percent of the $16,075 median for a course shorter than cosmetology, which is dear for esthetics and worth asking about. The school conferred 96 credentials in the year reported. Check its license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before enrolling, because that record and not the federal listing is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
For skincare specialists around Salt Lake City-Murray, the range runs $26,810 to $63,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles, with a median of $47,730. The bottom of this market sits well below its middle, so the first year is likely to be lean and worth planning for. This is a dense market by national standards, 1.5 times the usual concentration around Salt Lake City-Murray.
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#19
Paul Mitchell the School-St. George
Saint George, UT
72%
Share of students who finish
- 72% finish
- 94 graduates a year
- $17,244 program cost
What the record shows
Paul Mitchell the School-St. George runs its cosmetology program in Saint George and reports to the US Department of Education. 72 percent of students see the course through, out of 109 enrolled. The published cost is $17,244 for the full program. 12 points fewer of its students finish than the 84 percent median, priced within 8 percent of the $16,075 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. 94 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Check its license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before enrolling, because that record and not the federal listing is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
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#20
Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan
West Jordan, UT
72%
Share of students who finish
- 72% finish
- 99 graduates a year
- $18,000 program cost
What the record shows
Based in West Jordan, Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan is one of the cosmetology programs the federal government tracks. The school graduates 72 percent, on a fall headcount of 144. It charges $18,000 for the full program, which for a clock-hour course is the whole price rather than a yearly one. Borrowing is pooled across Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design campuses in the federal file, 233 borrowers at a median of $10,556 in federal loans. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $112 a month. That is the pairing to be wary of: 12 points fewer of its students finish than the 84 percent median, at a price 12 percent over the $16,075 median. Ask the school directly why students leave before you commit. 99 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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
Half of cosmetologists around Salt Lake City-Murray earn under $40,720, with the tenth percentile at $22,230 and the ninetieth at $80,410. Most of that range is a following, which is why two graduates of the same program can end up far apart. Against the state as a whole, the metro runs roughly 16 percent higher on median pay. Local concentration around Salt Lake City-Murray sits near the national average.
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#21
Paul Mitchell the School-Provo
Provo, UT
71%
Share of students who finish
- 71% finish
- 45 graduates a year
- $20,292 program cost
What the record shows
Paul Mitchell the School-Provo trains in Provo, and because it takes federal financial aid its outcomes are published per program. The school graduates 71 percent, on a fall headcount of 147. Tuition is reported at $20,292 for the full program. 13 points fewer finish than the 84 percent median and it costs 26 percent over the $16,075 median, so before enrolling ask what happens to the students who do not get through. 45 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Check its license with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before enrolling, because that record and not the federal listing is what makes your clock hours count.
Where it leads
Around Provo-Orem-Lehi, the median cosmetologist earns $31,720, the bottom tenth $21,810 and the top tenth $58,890. The metro median runs about 10 percent below the Utah figure. Provo-Orem-Lehi employs the trade at about 1.3 times the national rate, so the local market is thicker than average.
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#22
Skin Science Institute
Sandy, UT
70%
Share of students who finish
- 70% finish
- 205 graduates a year
- $16,050 program cost
What the record shows
Skin Science Institute teaches esthetics in Sandy, with its results published federally. It trains toward an esthetics license only, which is a fraction of the hours a cosmetology license takes, leads to skincare, facials and hair removal rather than hair, and does not license you to cut or color hair. That makes it a different decision from the full cosmetology schools on this page rather than a smaller version of one. The school graduates 70 percent, on a fall headcount of 127. Tuition is reported at $16,050 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $7,667 in federal loans, measured over 195 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $81 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 70 percent, 14 points under the 84 percent median, is the first thing to ask about. $16,050 is within 1 percent of the $16,075 median for a course shorter than cosmetology, which is dear for esthetics and worth asking about. It awarded 205 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 127, 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
Half of skincare specialists around Salt Lake City-Murray earn under $47,730, with the tenth percentile at $26,810 and the ninetieth at $63,170. There is a real gap between entry pay and the median here, which is the part of the trade that surprises people who costed only the tuition. The trade is unusually concentrated around Salt Lake City-Murray, about 1.5 times the national rate, so there are more chairs to compete for and more to be hired into.
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#23
Acaydia School of Aesthetics
Provo, UT
68%
Share of students who finish
- 68% finish
- 139 graduates a year
- $16,625 program cost
What the record shows
Acaydia School of Aesthetics runs its esthetics program in Provo and reports to the US Department of Education. 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. The school graduates 68 percent, on a fall headcount of 113. The published cost is $16,625 for the full program. Graduates who borrowed took on $7,667 in federal loans at the median, 76 of them. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $81 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 68 percent, 16 points under the 84 percent median, is the first thing to ask about. $16,625 is within 4 percent of the $16,075 median for a course shorter than cosmetology, which is dear for esthetics and worth asking about. It awarded 139 credentials over the year against a fall headcount of 113, 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
Half of skincare specialists around Provo-Orem-Lehi earn under $39,270, with the tenth percentile at $24,770 and the ninetieth at $62,160. Against the state as a whole, the metro sits roughly 14 percent under on median pay. Early pay locally runs well under the median, so budget for a slow first year rather than the headline figure. Provo-Orem-Lehi is a small market, about 200 in the trade, but a dense one for its size at 1.4 times the national rate.
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#24
The Barber School
Midvale, UT
59%
Share of students who finish
- 59% finish
- 64 graduates a year
- $13,850 program cost
What the record shows
Based in Midvale, The Barber School is one of the barbering programs the federal government tracks. It trains toward a barber license only, which is a similar hour count to cosmetology, leads to men's cutting, shaving and beard work, and does not license color, chemical services or the full cosmetology scope. That makes it a different decision from the full cosmetology schools on this page rather than a smaller version of one. 59 percent of students see the course through, out of 169 enrolled. Tuition is reported at $13,850 for the full program. Borrowing here runs to a median of $7,000 in federal loans, measured over 110 graduates. On the standard ten-year plan that is about $74 a month. Completion is the one figure that compares across trades, and 59 percent, 25 points under the 84 percent median, is the first thing to ask about. $13,850 is 14 percent under the $16,075 median for a similar hour count, which makes it the cheaper route to a chair. 64 students completed a credential here in the reporting year. Verify the school's standing with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before any deposit changes hands, since that record and not this one governs your hours.
Where it leads
undefined The trade is unusually concentrated around Salt Lake City-Murray, about 2.8 times the national rate, so there are more chairs to compete for and more to be hired into.
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#25
Davis Technical College
Kaysville, UT
57%
Share of students who finish
- Public institution
- 273 graduates a year
- $2,280 program cost
What the record shows
Davis Technical College runs its cosmetology program in Kaysville and reports to the US Department of Education. Across all 3,027 students at the college, 57 percent finish, which covers cosmetology along with everything else it teaches. Most of the students behind that 57 percent are in other programs, so ask the cosmetology department for its own figure rather than reading this one as the program's. Tuition is reported at $2,280. The school conferred 273 credentials in the year reported. Ask the Utah Division of Professional Licensing 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 Ogden runs from $21,190 at the tenth percentile to $52,220 at the ninetieth, with a median of $30,080. The metro median runs about 14 percent below the Utah figure. Neither end of this market is extreme: the top tenth earns about 1.7 times the median and the floor sits 30 percent under it, which makes the first year a budget question rather than a survival one. Ogden employs the trade at only about 0.7 times the national rate, so graduates enter a thinner local market than average.
- Esteem Academy of Beauty 100% 100%
- Top Nails & Hair Beauty School 92% 92%
- Medspa Academies 92% 92%
- Collectiv Academy 91% 91%
- Mandalyn Academy 90% 90%
- Evans Hairstyling College-St Geo... 88% 88%
- Taylor Andrews Academy-St George 88% 88%
- Paul Mitchell the School-Salt La... 88% 88%
- Avalon Institute-Layton 86% 86%
- Cameo College of Essential Beauty 85% 85%
Where can you find the licensed cosmetology programs in Utah?
The licensed cosmetology programs in Utah are searched one at a time rather than published as a list, so this page links Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce's own records instead of reprinting a commercial directory. The schools above are drawn from the 30 Utah cosmetology programs that take federal financial aid and therefore report their results to the Department of Education. That is a large share of the field and not all of it, so a school missing here is one that takes no federal aid rather than one that is unlicensed. Look up the school you are considering in the board's records and confirm the license is current before you pay anything.
How do you become a cosmetologist in Utah in 2026?
To become a cosmetologist in Utah you need 1,250 clock hours at a school licensed by Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce, then a passing score on the state exam. At the pace most clock-hour schools run, that is roughly 9.6 months full time. Only 10 states ask less, so this is at the shorter end of a range that reaches 2,000 hours.
A cosmetology program whose school lost its license mid-course takes your hours with it, which is the argument for checking Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce first.
How much do cosmetologists make in Utah in 2026?
Cosmetologists in Utah earn a median of $35,140 , with the bottom tenth on $21,810 and the top tenth on $75,860 . The related licenses pay differently again, which matters because you pick the license before you start the hours.
- Cosmetologists $35,140 $35,140
- Estheticians $45,490 $45,490
- Nail technicians $28,820 $28,820
- Salon managers $44,010 $44,010
- Barbers $25,370 $25,370
What is different about cosmetology licensing in Utah?
Utah rebuilt cosmetology licensing from scratch effective 7/1/2026 into stackable modular permits - haircutting, barbering, chemical hair services, basic esthetics, facial hair removal, eyelash and eyebrow technology - that credit toward a 1,250-hour cosmetology license, and it gives the online allowance its own dedicated statute section rather than burying it in rule. Every credential also has a registered apprenticeship equivalent, down to 50 hours for a facial hair removal permit. The old 1,600-hour combined cosmetology/barbering license closed to new entrants on 1/1/2026 and survives only as a 'legacy' credential. Read Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce's own rules .
Where do cosmetologists make the most money in Utah?
Cosmetologists make the most money in Utah around Salt Lake City-Murray, where the median is $40,720, and the least around Ogden at $30,080. That is a 35 percent gap inside one state, which is wider than the gap between many states and worth more than most differences between schools.
Against a statewide median of $35,140, roughly half these metros pay above and half below.
- Salt Lake City-Murray $40,720 $40,720
- Provo-Orem-Lehi $31,720 $31,720
- Logan $30,560 $30,560
- St. George $30,200 $30,200
- Ogden $30,080 $30,080
Is it better to be a cosmetologist, esthetician or nail tech in Utah?
In Utah, estheticians are the best paid of the beauty licenses at a $45,490 median. That is above the $35,140 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Estheticians | $45,490 | 1,160 |
| Salon managers | $44,010 | 930 |
| Nail technicians | $28,820 | 1,150 |
| Barbers | $25,370 | 320 |
Can you use a cosmetology license from another state in Utah?
Using a cosmetology license from another state in Utah means satisfying Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce, which decides case by case, and the number it weighs is hours. Against the other West states, Utah is it asks 291 fewer hours than the regional average of 1,541, and it pays about 11 percent below the regional average.
Hours earned under a lighter requirement can fall short in a neighboring state, so anyone likely to relocate should check the receiving board first rather than after.
| State | Hours required | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Utah (this state) | 1,250 | $35,140 |
| Washington | 1,600 | $59,510 |
| Oregon | $57,580 | |
| California | 1,000 | $38,660 |
| Montana | 1,500 | $38,000 |
| New Mexico | 1,600 | $37,750 |
| Colorado | 1,500 | $37,690 |
| Arizona | 1,500 | $36,810 |
| Idaho | 1,600 | $35,480 |
| Hawaii | 1,800 | $35,040 |
| Nevada | 1,600 | $33,840 |
| Alaska | 1,650 | $32,150 |
| Wyoming | 1,600 | $29,170 |
What does this Utah cosmetology program ranking not tell you?
This Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce for the license itself.
Common questions about cosmetology programs in Utah
What makes the best cosmetology programs in Utah rank highly here?
How many cosmetology schools are there in Utah?
Should you choose a NACCAS-accredited school in Utah?
How much does cosmetology school cost in Utah?
Are the best cosmetology programs in Utah accredited?
Where does this Utah cosmetology program data come from?
This Utah cosmetology program data comes from Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of Commerce, read on 2026-08-31, 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. Utah rebuilt cosmetology licensing from scratch effective 7/1/2026 into stackable modular permits - haircutting, barbering, chemical hair services, basic esthetics, facial hair removal, eyelash and eyebrow technology - that credit toward a 1,250-hour cosmetology license, and it gives the online allowance its own dedicated statute section rather than burying it in rule. Every credential also has a registered apprenticeship equivalent, down to 50 hours for a facial hair removal permit. The old 1,600-hour combined cosmetology/barbering license closed to new entrants on 1/1/2026 and survives only as a 'legacy' credential.
Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Utah Department of CommerceRead 2026-08-31.
- 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