2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
In 2020-2021, 107,895 degrees and certificates were awarded to cosmetology students, making the major the most popular in the country.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Cosmetology Trade Schools ranking. This report analyzed 1,002 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Cosmetology Colleges.
Top 25 Top Trade Schools in Cosmetology
Our analysis found Medspa Academies to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the large suburb of South Jordan, National Institute of Medical Aesthetics is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Out of the 1,002 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lia Schorr Institute of Cosmetic Skin Care Training. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Lia Schorr Institute of Cosmetic Skin Care Training is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of New York.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Located in the city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc
The excellent programs at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Henrico, Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics Report
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Located in the large city of Seattle, GMAI is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
With a ranking of #7, New York Institute of Beauty did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. New York Institute of Beauty is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Islandia.
Paroba College of Cosmetology ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Everett, Paroba College of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paroba College of Cosmetology
With a ranking of #9, J D Academy of Salon and Spa did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Danville.
Read full report on Cosmetology at J D Academy of Salon and Spa
Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #10 on the list. Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Everett.
Hastings Beauty School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #11 on the list. Hastings Beauty School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the town of Hastings.
Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #12 on the list. DSI Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Reston.
Full Cosmetology at Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy Report
The Hair Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #13 on the list. The Hair Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Bismarck.
Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Woburn, Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics
With a ranking of #15, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Milwaukee.
Full Cosmetology at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Report
Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics and Massage Therapy ranked #16 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics and Massage Therapy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford.
O’Briens Aveda Institute ranked #17 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. O'Briens Aveda Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Williston.
Academy for Salon Professionals did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #18 on the list. Academy for Salon Professionals is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Northridge.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Academy for Salon Professionals
Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics ranked #19 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of New York.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics
New York School of Esthetics & Day Spa ranked #20 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Located in the small city of white plains, New York School of Esthetics & Day Spa is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at New York School of Esthetics & Day Spa Report
The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #21 on the list. TSPA - Fargo is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
With a ranking of #23, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large city of Omaha, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Aveda Institute - Denver ranked #24 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Aveda Institute - Denver is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.
With a ranking of #25, Universal Spa Training Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Universal Spa Training Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Downers Grove.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Universal Spa Training Academy
Rest of the Top 50 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools
Remaining Award Winners
This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Cosmetology Trade Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1002 different United States cosmetology schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Trade Schools award.
Cosmetology by Region
View the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools for a specific region near you.
Region |
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Southeast |
New England |
Rocky Mountains |
Plains States |
Middle Atlantic |
Far Western US |
Southwest |
Great Lakes |
More Cosmetology Rankings
Cosmetology Related Rankings by Major
Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of trade school programs to choose from.
Cosmetology Concentrations
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 |
Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts | 2,278 |
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,620 |
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor | 1,382 |
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design | 1,029 |
Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 566 |
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 291 |
Electrolysis/Electrology & Electrolysis Technician | 253 |
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup & Tattooing | 71 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Cosmetology
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Culinary Arts | 19,784 |
Funeral & Mortuary Science | 2,354 |
Casino Operations and Services | 192 |
Other Personal & Culinary Services | 81 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Tiffany Bumgardner.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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