by our College Data Analytics TeamThis represents a small change of only -0.8% from the prior year's total of 1,037 hair styling degrees awarded.
Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of hair styling programs later in this article.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is a required skill for hair styling majors. Talking to others to convey information effectively and actively looking for ways to help people are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most hair styling degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic hair styling/stylist and hair design program qualifications, to serve in some hair styling careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Hair Styling degree levels vary. Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest hair styling degree you can get. The type of hair styling degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to hair styling, with approximately 5.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for hair styling workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 54.7% |
| High School Diploma | 23.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 10.6% |
| Some College Courses | 6.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.7% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in hair styling/stylist and hair design have received.
This of course varies depending on which hair styling career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your hair styling degree? Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design careers are expected to grow 13.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to hair styling/stylist and hair design.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 697,400 | 13.0% |
| Barbers | 64,000 | 13.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for hair styling graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for hair styling/stylist and hair design graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers hair styling grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Barbers | $33,220 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,190 |
With over 117 different hair styling degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased hair styling school rankings to help you with this.
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design is one of 12 different types of Cosmetology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist | 46,395 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist | 31,569 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist | 11,623 |
| Barbering/Barber | 8,381 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,437 |
Image Credit: By Tiffany Bumgardner under License More about our data sources and methodologies.