BEAUTY SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA — Federal Data, September 2026
Beauty Schools in California, Ranked On What Graduates Owe And Earn
74 accredited institutions in California report enough federal data on this program to be compared. They are ranked here on a single measure: how many months of gross pay it takes a graduate to cover the median debt.
See The RankingU.S. Department of Education data. No school paid to be listed.
Across the 74 ranked programs in California, the median graduate needs 7.1 months of gross pay to cover a median federal debt of $8,901, against median earnings of $15,104 one year after completion.
That is slower than the national median of 6.8 months for this field, measured across the 987 institutions in our national beauty schools ranking. The best performer in the state is Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy in Santa Fe Springs, at 2.6 months.
Every figure on this page is recalculated on California institutions only. Nothing is carried over from the national page.
At A Glance
What the federal data says about beauty schools in California
The Ranking
74 beauty schools in California, ranked by months of gross pay to cover the debt
Lower is better.
| # | School | Type | Award | Months | Debt | Earnings | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beyond 21st Century Beauty AcademySanta Fe Springs, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.6 | $3,850 | $17,655 | n/a |
| 2 | Professional Institute of BeautyEl Monte, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.8 | $3,501 | $15,081 | 76% |
| 3 | MJ Barber & Beauty AcademyLa Quinta, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $3,423 | $11,561 | 83% |
| 4 | MJ Barber & Beauty AcademyHemet, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $3,423 | $11,561 | 92% |
| 5 | Hoss Lee AcademyRoseville, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.8 | $6,333 | $19,797 | 92% |
| 6 | American Beauty CollegeWest Covina, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $6,091 | $18,085 | 69% |
| 7 | J D Academy of Salon and SpaDanville, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.1 | $6,211 | $18,059 | 79% |
| 8 | Los Angeles College of AestheticsLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $6,333 | $17,507 | 85% |
| 9 | Paul Mitchell the School-ModestoModesto, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.4 | $7,381 | $20,060 | 80% |
| 10 | Design’s School of CosmetologyPaso Robles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $6,333 | $16,533 | 76% |
| 11 | Blake Austin CollegeVacaville, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $6,333 | $16,650 | 89% |
| 12 | Advance Beauty Techs AcademyCorona, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.7 | $6,140 | $15,654 | 80% |
| 13 | Waynes College of BeautySalinas, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.8 | $6,333 | $15,728 | 93% |
| 14 | Career Academy of BeautyGarden Grove, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.9 | $6,513 | $15,921 | 92% |
| 15 | Federico Beauty InstituteSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.9 | $6,951 | $16,940 | 88% |
| 16 | The Salon Professional Academy-San JoseSan Jose, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.0 | $10,376 | $24,660 | 95% |
| 17 | Academy for Salon ProfessionalsNorthridge, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.5 | $6,333 | $13,837 | 94% |
| 18 | California Beauty CollegeModesto, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.6 | $7,393 | $15,882 | 83% |
| 19 | California College of Barbering and CosmetologyStockton, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.6 | $9,344 | $20,065 | 79% |
| 20 | MTI CollegeSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.9 | $10,550 | $21,371 | 77% |
| 21 | Victory Career CollegeCarson, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.9 | $6,333 | $12,775 | 94% |
| 22 | Lu Ross AcademyVentura, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.0 | $7,643 | $15,389 | 65% |
| 23 | Salon Success Academy-CoronaCorona, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.0 | $7,177 | $14,308 | 92% |
| 24 | Salon Success Academy-FontanaFontana, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.0 | $7,177 | $14,308 | 96% |
| 25 | Salon Success Academy-RedlandsRedlands, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.0 | $7,177 | $14,308 | 89% |
| 26 | Palomar Institute of CosmetologySan Marcos, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.3 | $9,000 | $17,219 | 89% |
| 27 | Milan Institute of Cosmetology-VacavilleVacaville, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.4 | $7,917 | $14,943 | 57% |
| 28 | International School of Beauty IncPalm Desert, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.5 | $7,816 | $14,530 | 92% |
| 29 | Santa Ana Beauty AcademySanta Ana, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.5 | $9,500 | $17,413 | 75% |
| 30 | Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty CollegeSanta Rosa, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.6 | $9,051 | $16,502 | 82% |
| 31 | Bellus Academy-PowayPoway, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.6 | $9,833 | $17,745 | 73% |
| 32 | San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology IncSan Francisco, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.7 | $10,556 | $19,002 | 87% |
| 33 | ZMS The AcademyLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.8 | $7,000 | $12,288 | 40% |
| 34 | Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CA | Public | Certificate | 6.9 | $7,736 | $13,431 | 37% |
| 35 | Salon Success Academy-UplandUpland, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.0 | $9,689 | $16,526 | 91% |
| 36 | Salon Success Academy-West CovinaWest Covina, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.0 | $9,689 | $16,526 | 87% |
| 37 | Citrus Heights Beauty CollegeCitrus Heights, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.1 | $9,500 | $16,131 | 77% |
| 38 | Milan Institute-ClovisClovis, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.1 | $7,917 | $13,386 | 63% |
| 39 | Academy of Esthetics and CosmetologySan Fernando, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.1 | $5,476 | $9,293 | 67% |
| 40 | Milan Institute-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.1 | $7,917 | $13,386 | 59% |
| 41 | Milan Institute-MercedMerced, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.1 | $7,917 | $13,386 | 55% |
| 42 | Cinta Aveda InstituteSan Francisco, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.2 | $10,554 | $17,592 | 62% |
| 43 | Milan Institute-VisaliaVisalia, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.3 | $9,500 | $15,635 | 51% |
| 44 | Institute of TechnologyClovis, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.6 | $13,341 | $21,184 | 73% |
| 45 | Lancaster Beauty SchoolLancaster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.8 | $9,500 | $14,654 | 68% |
| 46 | Elite Cosmetology SchoolPALM DESERT, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.8 | $10,556 | $16,174 | 88% |
| 47 | Bellus Academy-El CajonEl Cajon, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 7.9 | $9,500 | $14,350 | 72% |
| 48 | Lawrence & Company College of CosmetologySelma, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.1 | $8,545 | $12,650 | 70% |
| 49 | North Adrian’s College of Beauty IncModesto, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.2 | $11,718 | $17,084 | 70% |
| 50 | Paul Mitchell the School-SacramentoSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.2 | $10,526 | $15,322 | 79% |
| 51 | Lawrence & Company College of CosmetologyHanford, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.2 | $8,802 | $12,869 | 81% |
| 52 | Coba AcademyAnaheim, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.3 | $9,806 | $14,146 | 76% |
| 53 | Paul Mitchell the School-Costa MesaCosta Mesa, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.7 | $12,000 | $16,464 | 82% |
| 54 | Paul Mitchell the School-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.7 | $12,000 | $16,464 | 99% |
| 55 | Lyle’s College of BeautyBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.9 | $8,556 | $11,556 | 83% |
| 56 | Lyle’s College of BeautyFresno, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.9 | $8,556 | $11,556 | 64% |
| 57 | Advance Beauty CollegeGarden Grove, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 8.9 | $8,135 | $10,981 | 67% |
| 58 | California Hair Design AcademyLa Mesa, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 9.1 | $8,193 | $10,829 | 87% |
| 59 | Moler Barber CollegeOakland, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 9.2 | $14,518 | $18,947 | 23% |
| 60 | Paul Mitchell the School-East BayPleasant Hill, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 9.2 | $13,667 | $17,858 | 78% |
| 61 | Modern Beauty AcademyOxnard, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 9.5 | $9,950 | $12,543 | 80% |
| 62 | Asian-American International Beauty CollegeWestminster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 9.6 | $7,711 | $9,647 | 90% |
| 63 | Paul Mitchell the School-PasadenaPasadena, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 10.1 | $12,773 | $15,126 | 38% |
| 64 | San Bernardino Beauty CollegeSan Bernardino, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 10.2 | $14,299 | $16,767 | 75% |
| 65 | International College of Beauty Arts & SciencesLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 10.4 | $9,624 | $11,095 | 88% |
| 66 | Urban Barber CollegeConcord, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 10.5 | $9,855 | $11,292 | 78% |
| 67 | Paul Mitchell the School-Sherman OaksSherman Oaks, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 10.7 | $13,000 | $14,600 | 75% |
| 68 | Salon Success Academy-RiversideRiverside, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 11.0 | $13,304 | $14,566 | 81% |
| 69 | Paul Mitchell the School-TemeculaTemecula, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 11.3 | $13,667 | $14,507 | 69% |
| 70 | Paul Mitchell the School-FresnoFresno, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 12.6 | $11,277 | $10,762 | 84% |
| 71 | Bellus Academy-Chula VistaChula Vista, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 13.2 | $16,498 | $14,996 | 68% |
| 72 | Hinton Barber and Beauty CollegeVallejo, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 14.3 | $16,250 | $13,620 | 63% |
| 73 | Associated Barber College of San DiegoSan Diego, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 16.2 | $16,395 | $12,147 | 81% |
| 74 | CRU Institute of Cosmetology and BarberingGarden Grove, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 17.2 | $12,416 | $8,677 | 68% |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Cohorts by Field of Study and by Institution (published 9 June 2026). Debt is the median federal Stafford and Grad PLUS loan debt of completers in this program; earnings are median earnings one year after completion. Where a school offers the program at both certificate and associate level, the shorter payback is shown. Completion is the institution’s published rate, not the program’s.
The Top Five, In Detail
The five fastest payback programs in California, one by one
Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution in Santa Fe Springs. Its cosmetology graduates leave with a median federal debt of $3,850 and report median earnings of $17,655 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.6 months of gross pay: the fastest payback in the state, and 4.5 months faster than the California state median of 7.1. The award measured here is a certificate.
Professional Institute of Beauty
El Monte, CA
Professional Institute of Beauty is a private for-profit institution in El Monte. Its cosmetology graduates leave with a median federal debt of $3,501 and report median earnings of $15,081 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.8 months of gross pay: the second fastest in the state, and 4.3 months faster than the California state median of 7.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 76% completion rate.
MJ Barber & Beauty Academy
La Quinta, CA
MJ Barber & Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution in La Quinta. Its cosmetology graduates leave with a median federal debt of $3,423 and report median earnings of $11,561 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 3.6 months of gross pay: the third fastest in the state, and 3.5 months faster than the California state median of 7.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 83% completion rate.
MJ Barber & Beauty Academy
Hemet, CA
MJ Barber & Beauty Academy is a private for-profit institution in Hemet. Its cosmetology graduates leave with a median federal debt of $3,423 and report median earnings of $11,561 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 3.6 months of gross pay: fourth in the state, and 3.5 months faster than the California state median of 7.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 92% completion rate.
Hoss Lee Academy
Roseville, CA
Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit institution in Roseville. Its cosmetology graduates leave with a median federal debt of $6,333 and report median earnings of $19,797 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 3.8 months of gross pay: fifth in the state, and 3.3 months faster than the California state median of 7.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 92% completion rate.
Read It Carefully
What this ranking does not measure
Absence from this page is not a verdict. The Department of Education suppresses figures for programs with small cohorts, so a small, excellent school will often have no publishable data at all. Schools that enroll no students on federal aid are outside this dataset entirely.
The measure is a ratio, not a repayment plan, and it counts federal loan debt only. Cash payments, private loans and employer sponsorship are invisible here. Local wages shape earnings as much as the school does, which is exactly why comparing inside one state, as this page does, is more informative than comparing across the country.
Other States
The same program, another state
Other Programs in California
Comparing a different trade in California
For CALIFORNIA School Operators
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