Cosmetology Schools in Wisconsin

21 schools compared · Average earnings $21,588/yr

21 Wisconsin schools offer Cosmetology. Average graduate earnings run 25% above the national average — something worth factoring in alongside tuition, location, and program fit.

Schools in WI
21
Avg Grad Earnings
$21,588/yr
+25% vs. national avg
Avg Score
46/100
Top WI Cities
3
with programs

Cosmetology Training in Wisconsin: What You Need to Know

Local program supply

Wisconsin has 21 schools offering Cosmetology programs, concentrated in 3 cities including {'city': 'Madison', 'city_slug': 'madison', 'count': 4, 'avg_earn': 22195.0}, {'city': 'Milwaukee', 'city_slug': 'milwaukee', 'count': 3, 'avg_earn': 22289.0}, {'city': 'Appleton', 'city_slug': 'appleton', 'count': 2, 'avg_earn': 18666.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.

Earnings vs. national

Cosmetology graduates in Wisconsin earn approximately $21,588/year on average, which is +25% above the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Wisconsin-specific licensing

Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify Wisconsin-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.

How Wisconsin compares

Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Cosmetology programs in Wisconsin is 46/100. 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 Wisconsin

All 21 Wisconsin schools offering Cosmetology, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI
55 $27,049/yr 56.3x
2 Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI
53 $23,405/yr 61.2x
3 Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI
52 $23,198/yr 54.7x
4 Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI
49 $22,152/yr 45.3x
5 Northwood Technical College
Rice Lake, WI
51 $18,294/yr 59.4x
6 The Institute of Beauty and Wellness
Milwaukee, WI
47 $25,029/yr
7 Aveda Institute-Madison
Madison, WI
47 $25,029/yr
8 The Salon Professional Academy-Onalaska
Onalaska, WI
47 $25,017/yr
9 First Class Cosmetology School
Beloit, WI
45 $23,235/yr
10 Paul Mitchell the School-Madison
Madison, WI
45 $22,868/yr
11 VICI Beauty School
Greenfield, WI
44 $21,773/yr
12 The Salon Professional Academy-Kenosha
Kenosha, WI
44 $21,678/yr
13 The Professional Hair Design Academy
Eau Claire, WI
44 $21,659/yr
14 Advanced College of Cosmetology
Waupun, WI
44 $21,100/yr
15 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Janesville
Janesville, WI
44 $20,302/yr
16 Paul Mitchell the School-Milwaukee
Wauwatosa, WI
43 $19,570/yr
17 Academy of Beauty Professionals
Madison, WI
43 $18,729/yr
18 Empire Beauty School-Green Bay
Ashwaubenon, WI
43 $18,639/yr
19 Empire Beauty School-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
43 $18,639/yr
20 The Salon Professional Academy-Appleton
Appleton, WI
43 $18,603/yr
21 Mid-State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
44 $17,385/yr 34.6x

Where Cosmetology Programs Cluster in Wisconsin

Cities with the most Cosmetology programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.

City Schools Avg Earnings
Madison, WI 4 $22,195/yr
Milwaukee, WI 3 $22,289/yr
Appleton, WI 2 $18,666/yr

Compare Cosmetology in Other States

Considering a nearby state? Here's how Wisconsin compares to others with strong Cosmetology offerings.

← See Cosmetology programs across all states
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →