Cosmetology programs in Iowa
20 cosmetology programs at 19 Iowa schools are in the federal data. Where earnings are reported (16 programs), the state median is $24,522 one year after completion, 6% above the national median of $23,061. Median borrower debt is $10,122.
| School | City | Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveda Institute-Des Moines | West Des Moines, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 119 | $31,868 | $10,484 | $119 |
| SOHO Hair Academy | Council Bluffs, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 18 | $29,596 | $9,760 | $111 |
| PCI Academy-Ames | Ames, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 95 | $29,449 | $9,388 | $107 |
| PCI Academy-Iowa City | Iowa City, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 69 | $29,449 | $9,388 | $107 |
| Capri College-Davenport | Davenport, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 84 | $27,508 | $12,000 | $136 |
| Capri College-Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 70 | $26,762 | $12,000 | $136 |
| La James International College-Cedar Falls | Cedar Falls, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 29 | $25,685 | $9,667 | $110 |
| La James International College-Johnston | Johnston, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 62 | $24,619 | $7,917 | $90 |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines | Des Moines, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 62 | $24,424 | $11,037 | $125 |
| Capri College-Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 92 | $23,989 | $11,361 | $129 |
| Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake | Spirit Lake, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 14 | $22,807 | – | – |
| La James International College-Ft Dodge | Fort Dodge, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 18 | $22,724 | $7,917 | $90 |
| La James International College-Davenport | Davenport, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 92 | $20,592 | $7,917 | $90 |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City | Sioux City, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 31 | $20,117 | $12,000 | $136 |
| College of Hair Design | Cedar Falls, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 23 | $19,606 | $20,471 | $233 |
| American Hair Academy | Mt. Pleasant, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 14 | $15,430 | – | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | – | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate | 0 | not reported | – | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 0 | 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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Before you choose a cosmetology school in Iowa
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 Iowa
All Iowa 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 Iowa?
By reported one-year earnings, Aveda Institute-Des Moines leads at $31,868 in the certificate program, but compare cost and local jobs too.
How many cosmetology programs are in Iowa?
The Scorecard lists 20 certificate or associate programs in this field at 19 schools in Iowa.