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Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina

2023 Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina

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

Finding the Best Cosmetology Associate Degree School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, cosmetology was ranked 4th in North Carolina. In fact, 2,549 were awarded in the state in 2021-2022.

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 7 schools in North Carolina 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 North Carolina

The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a associate degree.

Top North Carolina Trade Schools for an Associate in Cosmetology

Our analysis found Central Piedmont Community College to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a associate degree in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Charlotte.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Central Piedmont Community College

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Central Carolina Community College is a great place for cosmetology students working on their associate degree. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Cosmetology at Central Carolina Community College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wake Technical Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a public college with a very large student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Wake Technical Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. A-B Tech is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Asheville.

On average, cosmetology graduates from A-B Tech take out $14,650 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fayetteville Technical Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. FTCC is a large public school located in the midsize city of Fayetteville.

While working on their Associate Degree, cosmetology majors at FTCC accumulate an average of around $20,615 in student debt.

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#6

Robeson Community College

Lumberton, NC

Robeson Community 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. Located in the distant town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a public school with a small student population.

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Southwestern Community 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 #7 on the list. Southwestern Community College is a small public school located in the town of Sylva.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Southwestern Community College

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
South Carolina 1,516
Georgia 4,283
Arkansas 1,191
Florida 10,801
West Virginia 377
Louisiana 3,726
Virginia 1,085
Alabama 821
Kentucky 1,003
Tennessee 2,270
Mississippi 872

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

Majors Similar 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 7 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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