Cosmetology Schools in Arkansas
16 Arkansas schools offer Cosmetology. Average graduate earnings run 12% below the national average — something worth factoring in alongside tuition, location, and program fit.
Cosmetology Training in Arkansas: What You Need to Know
Local program supply
Arkansas has 16 schools offering Cosmetology programs, concentrated in 3 cities including {'city': 'North Little Rock', 'city_slug': 'north-little-rock', 'count': 3, 'avg_earn': 15600.0}, {'city': 'Fort Smith', 'city_slug': 'fort-smith', 'count': 2, 'avg_earn': 18452.0}, {'city': 'Little Rock', 'city_slug': 'little-rock', 'count': 2, 'avg_earn': 16829.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.
Earnings vs. national
Cosmetology graduates in Arkansas earn approximately $15,137/year on average, which is -12% below the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Arkansas-specific licensing
Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify Arkansas-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.
How Arkansas compares
Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology programs in Arkansas is 42/100. Cost of living, wage levels, and program supply all vary by state — see the school list below ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score, which combines earnings, debt, and job-market demand.
Cosmetology Programs in Arkansas
All 16 Arkansas schools offering Cosmetology, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas State University-Newport Newport, AR |
48 |
| 2 | Arkansas Beauty School-Little Rock Little Rock, AR |
44 |
| 3 | Academy of Salon and Spa Fort Smith, AR |
43 |
| 4 | The Salon Professional Academy Sherwood, AR |
43 |
| 5 | Designer Barber & Stylist School Fort Smith, AR |
43 |
| 6 | Arkansas Technical School North Little Rock, AR |
43 |
| 7 | Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale, AR |
42 |
| 8 | Paul Mitchell the School-Little Rock North Little Rock, AR |
42 |
| 9 | New Tyler Barber College Inc North Little Rock, AR |
42 |
| 10 | Arthur's Beauty College Jacksonville, AR |
41 |
| 11 | Paul Mitchell the School-Arkansas Fayetteville, AR |
41 |
| 12 | Searcy Beauty College Searcy, AR |
41 |
| 13 | Washington Barber College Inc Little Rock, AR |
41 |
| 14 | Academy of Professional Cosmetology Rogers, AR |
41 |
| 15 | University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology El Dorado, AR |
41 |
| 16 | University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain Mena, AR |
40 |
Where Cosmetology Programs Cluster in Arkansas
Cities with the most Cosmetology programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.
| City | Schools | Avg Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| North Little Rock, AR | 3 | $15,600/yr |
| Fort Smith, AR | 2 | $18,452/yr |
| Little Rock, AR | 2 | $16,829/yr |
Compare Cosmetology in Other States
Considering a nearby state? Here's how Arkansas compares to others with strong Cosmetology offerings.