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Basic Certificate in Cosmetology

Basic Certificates in Cosmetology

60,489 Yearly Graduations
97% Women
62% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*
There are 1,127 schools in the United States where you can get your basic certificate in cosmetology. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 62% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 0.5% of cosmetology graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Cosmetology Majors

In 2021-2022, 60,489 basic certificates were awarded to cosmetology majors. This makes it the 1st most popular basic certificate program in the country.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in cosmetology at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Undergraduate Certificate 62,930
Basic Certificate 60,489
Associate Degree 1,192

Earnings of Cosmetology Majors With Basic Certificates

At this time, we do not have the data to estimate the median earnings for this class of people.

Student Debt

We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for cosmetology students who are basic certificate holders.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their basic certificate in cosmetology. About 96.9% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 1,885
Women 58,604
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The racial-ethnic distribution of cosmetology basic certificate students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 3,244
Black or African American 14,080
Hispanic or Latino 17,499
White 20,545
International Students 302
Other Races/Ethnicities 4,819
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There are 1,127 colleges that offer a basic certificate in cosmetology. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

982 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
45% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for cosmetology students seekinga basic certificate is Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington. Each year, around 2,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The cosmetology program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington awarded 982 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. Around 45% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 99% were women.

803 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
81% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup. Roughly 500 attend the school each year. The cosmetology program at Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup awarded 803 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. About 99% of this group were women, and 81% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

526 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
83% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in cosmetology. Each year, around 600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The cosmetology program at Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin awarded 526 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. About 99% of this group were women, and 83% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#4

Douglas J Aveda Institute

East Lansing, Michigan
427 Yearly Graduations
98% Women
40% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 4th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Douglas J Aveda Institute. Roughly 800 attend the school each year. The cosmetology program at Douglas J Aveda Institute awarded 427 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. Around 40% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 98% were women.

#5

Advance Beauty College

Garden Grove, California
420 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
82% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Advance Beauty College. Roughly 500 attend the school each year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 420 basic certificates were handed out to cosmetology majors at Advance Beauty College. Around 82% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 92% were women.

#6

National University College

Bayamon, Puerto Rico
356 Yearly Graduations
98% Women
98% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

National University College comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in cosmetology. Roughly 24,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,448 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,448 per year. The cosmetology program at National University College awarded 356 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. Around 98% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 98% were women.

#7

Studio Academy of Beauty

Chandler, Arizona
351 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
71% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 7th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Studio Academy of Beauty. Roughly 700 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 351 people received their basic certificate in cosmetology from Studio Academy of Beauty. Of these students, 99% were women and 71% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

346 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
99% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Asian-American International Beauty College. Each year, around 300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 346 people received their basic certificate in cosmetology from Asian-American International Beauty College. Of these students, 83% were women and 99% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Boca Beauty Academy

Boca Raton, Florida
322 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
62% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Boca Beauty Academy is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. Each year, around 100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The cosmetology program at Boca Beauty Academy awarded 322 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. Around 62% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 99% were women.

#10

G Skin & Beauty Institute

Schaumburg, Illinois
296 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
60% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

G Skin & Beauty Institute is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. Roughly 500 attend the school each year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 296 basic certificates were handed out to cosmetology majors at G Skin and Beauty Institute. Around 60% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 99% were women.

#11

South Hills Beauty Academy Inc

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
288 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
51% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. Each year, around 100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The cosmetology program at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc awarded 288 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 99% were women and 51% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#12

La Belle Beauty Academy

Miami, Florida
286 Yearly Graduations
100% Women
99% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

La Belle Beauty Academy comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in cosmetology. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 286 basic certificates were handed out to cosmetology majors at La Belle Beauty Academy. Around 99% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 100% were women.

#13

Celebrity School of Beauty

Miami, Florida
280 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
70% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 13th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Celebrity School of Beauty. Roughly 700 attend the school each year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 280 basic certificates were handed out to cosmetology majors at Celebrity School of Beauty. Around 70% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 99% were women.

272 Yearly Graduations
98% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 14th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett. Roughly 700 attend the school each year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 272 basic certificates were handed out to cosmetology majors at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett. About 98% of this group were women, and 39% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

272 Yearly Graduations
98% Women
63% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in cosmetology. Each year, around 200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 272 people received their basic certificate in cosmetology from Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute. Around 63% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 98% were women.

264 Yearly Graduations
97% Women
89% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Stafford is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. Roughly 400 attend the school each year. The cosmetology program at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Stafford awarded 264 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. About 97% of this group were women, and 89% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#17

Jupiter Beauty Academy

Boston, Massachusetts
258 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
89% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for cosmetology majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Jupiter Beauty Academy. Each year, around 200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 258 basic certificates were handed out to cosmetology majors at Jupiter Beauty Academy. Of these students, 93% were women and 89% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

251 Yearly Graduations
98% Women
80% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. Each year, around 200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The cosmetology program at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics awarded 251 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. About 98% of this group were women, and 80% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#19

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, Florida
247 Yearly Graduations
99% Women
53% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. Each year, around 600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The cosmetology program at Aveda Institute - Tallahassee awarded 247 basic certificates during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 99% were women and 53% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#20

La Belle Beauty School

Hialeah, Florida
242 Yearly Graduations
100% Women

La Belle Beauty School is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in cosmetology. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 242 people received their basic certificate in cosmetology from La Belle Beauty School. Around 100% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 100% were women.

Cosmetology Focus Areas

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Esthetician, Skin Care Specialist 36,656
Nail Technician & Manicurist 12,957
General Cosmetology 3,236
Facial Treatment Specialist 2,822
Other Cosmetology 1,534

Below are some popular majors that are similar to cosmetology that offer basic certificates.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Culinary Arts 6,246
385
Funeral & Mortuary Science 245

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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