Cosmetology programs in Virginia
24 cosmetology programs at 24 Virginia schools are in the federal data. Where earnings are reported (19 programs), the state median is $24,364 one year after completion, 6% above the national median of $23,061. Median borrower debt is $10,107.
| School | City | Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Esthetic Institute | Vienna, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 160 | $44,457 | $9,083 | $103 |
| Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics | Ashland, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 39 | $36,615 | $12,564 | $143 |
| Lotus Professional College | Richmond, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 79 | $34,327 | $9,488 | $108 |
| Eastern Virginia Career College | Fredericksburg, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 44 | $32,463 | $7,917 | $90 |
| Avi Career Training | vienna, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 48 | $30,045 | $6,333 | $72 |
| The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics | Virginia Beach, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 206 | $28,573 | $10,107 | $115 |
| Staunton School of Cosmetology | Staunton, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 13 | $25,811 | $9,833 | $112 |
| Culpeper Cosmetology Training Center | Culpeper, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 28 | $25,257 | $9,833 | $112 |
| Centura College-Chesapeake | Chesapeake, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | – | $25,158 | $9,500 | $108 |
| Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School | Virginia Beach, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 91 | $24,364 | $12,541 | $143 |
| Empire Beauty School-Midlothian | Midlothian, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 29 | $24,138 | $13,219 | $150 |
| Empire Beauty School-Richmond | Richmond, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 27 | $24,138 | $13,219 | $150 |
| Empire Beauty School-Newport News | Newport News, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 26 | $24,138 | $13,219 | $150 |
| Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 69 | $23,065 | $15,319 | $174 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke | Roanoke, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 41 | $22,889 | $10,217 | $116 |
| Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy | Lynchburg, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 60 | $21,195 | $9,833 | $112 |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington | Arlington, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 174 | $18,998 | $9,191 | $104 |
| Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School | Petersburg, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 20 | $16,531 | $16,500 | $188 |
| Tomorrow's Image Barber And Beauty Academy of Virginia | Newport News, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 16 | $15,307 | $16,827 | $191 |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | – | not reported | – | – |
| Columbia College | Vienna, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 0 | not reported | – | – |
| Luckes Beauty Academy LLC | Newport News, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Jazz Barber and Hairstyling Academy | Petersburg, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Virginia Barber School | Richmond, VA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | – | not reported | – | – |
*Scorecard's estimated monthly payment on the median debt over 10 years. “Not reported” means the Department suppressed or did not publish the figure.
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Cosmetology programs by city in Virginia
Before you choose a cosmetology school in Virginia
Every state licenses cosmetologists and sets its own required training hours, so a program must meet your state board's hour requirement to let you sit for the licensing exam. Check the state board first.
- Does the program meet my state board's required hours?
- What is the board exam pass rate for graduates?
- How are kit and supply costs billed?
More programs in Virginia
All Virginia programs · Cosmetology, Barbering & Esthetics nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study and Institution files (release dated 10/15/2026). Earnings are median annual earnings of completers working and not enrolled one year after finishing; debt is median federal loan debt of borrowers; both describe past cohorts and small programs are suppressed by the Department. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-paying cosmetology program in Virginia?
By reported one-year earnings, The Esthetic Institute leads at $44,457 in the certificate program, but compare cost and local jobs too.
How many cosmetology programs are in Virginia?
The Scorecard lists 24 certificate or associate programs in this field at 24 schools in Virginia.