Find Trade Colleges
2023 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools
Finding the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree School for You
In 2021-2022, 124,611 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 34 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Colleges.
Top 10 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Clover Park Technical College the best school in the United States for cosmetology students working on their associate degree. CPTC is a small public school located in the city of Lakewood.
Cosmetology majors at CPTC take out an average of $12,614 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Douglas Education Center. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in the small suburb of Monessen, Douglas Education Center is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Douglas Education Center take out $13,976 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $503, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
Out of the 34 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Johnson County Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. JCCC is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Johnson County Community College
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cerritos College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Cerritos College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk.
Request Information
The excellent associate degree programs at Saint Paul College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Full Cosmetology at Saint Paul College Report
Request Information
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools list. WCTC is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Pewaukee.
Full Cosmetology at Waukesha County Technical College Report
Request Information
Ridgewater College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in the remote town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public college with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Ridgewater College Report
Request Information
Remington College - Cleveland Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Cleveland, Remington College - Cleveland Campus is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Remington College - Cleveland Campus take out $21,111 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Request Information
Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Webster, Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus take out $21,111 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Request Information
Remington College - North Houston Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Houston, Remington College - North Houston Campus is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Remington College - North Houston Campus take out while working on their Associate Degree is $21,111.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Remington College - North Houston Campus
Request InformationCosmetology by Region
View the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Other U.S. Territories |
| Great Lakes |
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 | 50,210 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist | 40,040 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist | 13,960 |
| Barbering/Barber | 9,893 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,907 |
| Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts | 2,184 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,729 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design | 1,238 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor | 1,230 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 440 |
| Electrolysis/Electrology & Electrolysis Technician | 354 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 336 |
| Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup & Tattooing | 90 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Cosmetology
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | 22,075 |
| Funeral & Mortuary Science | 2,186 |
| Casino Operations and Services | 385 |
| Other Personal & Culinary Services | 95 |
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.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.