USA TODAY’s 250 Top Vocational Schools for 2026 Includes Paul Mitchell School in San Francisco
For the second consecutive year, USA TODAY has named San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology (SFIEC), a Paul Mitchell Partner School, as one of America’s Top 250 Vocational Schools for 2026. Located in San Francisco’s South of Market district, SFIEC offers comprehensive programs in cosmetology, esthetics, barbering, hairstyling, and nail technology.
Winn Claybaugh, Dean and Cofounder of Paul Mitchell Schools, says:
“We are very proud of SFIEC and all of our Paul Mitchell Schools. Our unique, multifaceted curriculum was designed to help students get the skills they need so they can turn their creativity and passion into careers doing what they love.”
Deedee Crossett, Dean of San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, adds:
“SFIEC’s goal has always been to create a seamless transition from student to professional. I’m so proud of my team and it feels amazing to be acknowledged once again for our hard work, especially on our 24th anniversary!
Trades are a legitimate option for continued education and we are thankful to USA TODAY for adding the vocational category. I hope this list will show students and their supporters all the options that are available for postsecondary education.”
This marks the second year that USA TODAY partnered with market research firm Statista to review the nation’s vocational schools. Noting that Americans are increasingly choosing trade schools over four-year degrees, USA TODAY and Statista used five metrics to rank the schools: graduation rate, graduate salary, years to pay off net price, social mobility, and diversity.
Data on the schools’ performance was collected through publicly available sources like IPEDS and College Scorecard. The 250 institutions with the highest scores were awarded as USA TODAY’s America’s Top Vocational Schools.
ABOUT THE PAUL MITCHELL SCHOOL NETWORK
Paul Mitchell Advanced Education, LLC, is a partially owned subsidiary of John Paul Mitchell Systems and the franchisor of 90+ independently owned and operated franchise beauty and/or barbering schools operating in the United States under the Paul Mitchell School brand.
At Paul Mitchell Advanced Education, we believe that education is an adventure and the learning experience needs to be fun and well rounded. Our franchisees operate cosmetology, esthetics, and barbering schools where they highlight important theory, practical, and business skills and emphasizing social and community responsibility.
Over the last 22 years, the Paul Mitchell School network’s annual FUNraising campaign has collectively raised and donated over $27 million through the Andrew Gomez Foundation in support of many charitable causes. Learn more at
www.paulmitchell.edu/giving-back
RELATED LINKS
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology
USA TODAY: America’s Top Vocational Schools 2026
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