Cosmetology major
Cosmetology: courses, careers, and where to study
Cosmetology programs train you to cut, color, and style hair, perform manicures, pedicures, and skin services, and prepare for the state board licensing exam.
A cosmetology program teaches the technical craft behind salon work: sectioning and cutting hair with shears, razors, and clippers; blow-dry, thermal, and roller styling; and chemical services such as permanent color, highlights and balayage, relaxers, perms, and keratin smoothing, with patch testing and developer ratios handled carefully. Coursework covers the chemistry of the cuticle and pH, scalp and skin analysis, manicuring and pedicuring, basic esthetics and facial treatments, and the disinfection rules that govern implements, foot spas, and stations. Where Culinary Arts trains you to cook and run a kitchen and Massage Therapy focuses on muscles and soft-tissue manipulation, cosmetology centers on hair, nails, and skin services and the salon floor, including client consultation, retail, and shop management.
Most students enter through a state-approved cosmetology school and log a set number of supervised clock hours on mannequins and live clients before sitting for the state board, which usually combines a written theory exam with a practical demonstration scored on technique and sanitation. A license must be renewed and is regulated by each state's board of cosmetology or barbering, so requirements, reciprocity between states, and any separate nail-technician or esthetician licenses vary; verify the rules with your state board before enrolling. Many cosmetologists work in salons, spas, or barbershops, or rent a booth and build their own clientele over time. A program is preparation for the exam and the chair, not a guarantee, since pay, hours, and demand depend on specialty, location, and the book of clients you develop.
In federal data for the closely related occupation of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $35,250 and projects employment to grow about 5.6% from 2024 to 2034; a postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Cosmetology maps to CIP 12.0401, Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General, within the CULINARY, ENTERTAINMENT, AND PERSONAL SERVICES family. The official definition:
A program that generally prepares individuals to cut, trim, and style scalp, facial, and body hair; apply cosmetic preparations; perform manicures and pedicures; massage the head and extremities; and prepare for practice as licensed cosmetologists in specialized or full-service salons. Includes instruction in hair cutting and styling, manicuring, pedicuring, facial treatments, shampooing, chemical applications, esthetics, shop management, sanitation and safety, customer service, and applicable professional and labor laws and regulations.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What you'll study
- Hair cutting with shears, texturizing shears, razors, and clippers, plus sectioning and elevation techniques
- Hair coloring and lightening, including single-process color, highlights, foiling, and balayage with developer and toner
- Chemical texture services such as perms, relaxers, and keratin smoothing, with patch and strand testing
- Blow-dry, thermal styling, and updo and event styling for different hair textures
- Manicuring and pedicuring, including nail shaping, gel and acrylic enhancements, and cuticle care
- Basic esthetics and facial treatments, skin analysis, hair removal, and makeup application
- Scalp, hair, and skin science covering the cuticle, pH, and the chemistry behind salon products
- Infection control, disinfection of implements and foot spas, and bloodborne-pathogen and safety practices
- Client consultation, retail recommendation, booth rental, and salon management fundamentals
Typical careers
- Cosmetologist
- Hairstylist
- Hair colorist
- Nail technician
- Esthetician
- Salon manager
Typical salary range: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists median $35,250).Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Cosmetology. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Manicurists and Pedicurists
- Shampooers
- Skincare Specialists
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.
Before you commit to a Cosmetology major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Cosmetology program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Cosmetology department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Cosmetology program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Cosmetology programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
Related majors
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy trains you in hands-on techniques to manipulate muscles and soft tissue, for people who want a practical, touch-based path in wellness and clinical care.
Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts trains you to cook professionally and run a working kitchen, blending hands-on technique with menu planning, food safety, and cost control.
Fashion Design
Fashion Design teaches the craft of conceiving and constructing apparel and accessories, suited to students who pair visual creativity with hands-on technical and production skills.
Fashion Merchandising
Fashion Merchandising is the business-of-fashion major focused on buying, promoting, and selling apparel and brands, for students drawn to retail and product strategy rather than design.
Put this major in context
The salary above is an occupation-wide median from federal data, not a starting wage or a guarantee. These CampusPin pages help you read it well and weigh a Cosmetology degree against its cost.
Explore Personal Care & Service careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
Why a median wage is not a starting salary
How to read a BLS median, and why early-career pay usually sits below it.
Does a pricier college pay off?
How college cost lines up with graduation and earnings, an association, not a ranking.
How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.