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Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools

2023 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools

34 Colleges
$16,507 Avg Salary
$12,253 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#2

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Douglas Education Center. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in the suburb of Monessen, Douglas Education Center is a private for-profit college 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.

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#3

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Johnson County Community College is a great place for cosmetology students working on their associate degree. JCCC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Overland Park.

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#4

Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA

The excellent associate degree programs at Cerritos College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the United States. Cerritos College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Norwalk.

Full Cosmetology at Cerritos College Report

#5

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Paul College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Saint Paul College

Waukesha County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. WCTC is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee.

Full Cosmetology at Waukesha County Technical College Report

#7

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in the remote town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ridgewater College

Remington College - Cleveland 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 #8 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Cleveland, Remington College - Cleveland Campus is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Remington College - Cleveland Campus

With a ranking of #9, Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Webster, Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus

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 city of Houston, Remington College - North Houston Campus is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly 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

Cosmetology 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 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

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.

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