Cosmetology Schools in Minnesota
12 Minnesota schools offer Cosmetology. Average graduate earnings run 36% above the national average — something worth factoring in alongside tuition, location, and program fit.
Cosmetology Training in Minnesota: What You Need to Know
Local program supply
Minnesota has 12 schools offering Cosmetology programs, concentrated in 4 cities including {'city': 'Saint Paul', 'city_slug': 'saint-paul', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 32987.0}, {'city': 'Saint Cloud', 'city_slug': 'saint-cloud', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 25814.0}, {'city': 'Rochester', 'city_slug': 'rochester', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 25754.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.
Earnings vs. national
Cosmetology graduates in Minnesota earn approximately $23,477/year on average, which is +36% above the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Minnesota-specific licensing
Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify Minnesota-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.
How Minnesota compares
Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology programs in Minnesota is 47/100. 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 Minnesota
All 12 Minnesota schools offering Cosmetology, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN |
59 |
| 2 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MN |
49 |
| 3 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MN |
49 |
| 4 | Model College of Hair Design Saint Cloud, MN |
47 |
| 5 | Nova Academy of Cosmetology Rochester, MN |
47 |
| 6 | Nova Academy of Cosmetology Woodbury WOODBURY, MN |
46 |
| 7 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN |
46 |
| 8 | PCI Academy-Plymouth Plymouth, MN |
46 |
| 9 | Hastings Beauty School Hastings, MN |
45 |
| 10 | Empire Beauty School-Bloomington Bloomington, MN |
43 |
| 11 | Empire Beauty School-Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park, MN |
43 |
| 12 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN |
42 |
Where Cosmetology Programs Cluster in Minnesota
Cities with the most Cosmetology programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.
| City | Schools | Avg Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, MN | 1 | $32,987/yr |
| Saint Cloud, MN | 1 | $25,814/yr |
| Rochester, MN | 1 | $25,754/yr |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $24,230/yr |
Compare Cosmetology in Other States
Considering a nearby state? Here's how Minnesota compares to others with strong Cosmetology offerings.