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2026 Best Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Cosmetology certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1613 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology this year in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $11,667. More on University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
A rank of #2 makes San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc one of the top choices in the United States. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,556 in student loans. Read more about San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc
Out of the 1613 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Gary Manuel Aveda Institute landed the #3 spot. Gary Manuel Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. Students borrow a median of $10,111 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Gary Manuel Aveda Institute
New York Institute Of Beauty came in at #4 on this year's Cosmetology ranking in the United States. New York Institute Of Beauty is a private for-profit school based in Islandia, NY. New York Institute Of Beauty Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,062 in debt. Read the full report on New York Institute Of Beauty
You'll be in good company at Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training, which ranked #5 this year. Located in New York, NY, Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,333. Read more about Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training
Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Located in Ashland, VA, Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,944 in debt. Read more about Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics
W Academy Of Salon And Spa placed #7 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Danville, CA, W Academy Of Salon And Spa is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $6,211. Read the full report on W Academy Of Salon And Spa
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett did well this year, earning the #8 position. Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett is a private for-profit school based in Everett, WA. Students borrow a median of $9,164 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett profile
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Students borrow a median of $10,555 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness profile
Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Reston, VA, Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy is a private for-profit institution. Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy Cosmetology students take on a median of $8,517 in debt. Read the full report on Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy
Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Woburn, MA, Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $7,667 in student loans. More on Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics
Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge is a private for-profit school based in Northridge, CA. Graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Read more about Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge
Obriens Aveda Institute did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Williston, VT, Obriens Aveda Institute is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,832 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read the full report on Obriens Aveda Institute
Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics placed #16 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,333. See the full Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics profile
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Fargo, ND, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $12,000. More on The Salon Professional Academy Fargo
New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa is a private for-profit school based in white plains, NY. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa
Aesthetic Science Institute landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Latham, NY, Aesthetic Science Institute is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,333. Read the full report on Aesthetic Science Institute
Avenue Five Institute landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Austin, TX. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,917. Get the full Avenue Five Institute report
Universal Spa Training Academy landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Downers Grove, IL. Students borrow a median of $7,917 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Universal Spa Training Academy
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics did well this year, earning the #22 position. Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics is a private for-profit school based in Omaha, NE. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,166. Read more about Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics
Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus is a private for-profit school based in Austin, TX. Graduates carry a median of $7,917 in student loans. Read the full report on Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus
Spa Tech Institute Westboro came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Westborough, MA, Spa Tech Institute Westboro is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,117. Read more about Spa Tech Institute Westboro
Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Carmel, IN, Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,833. Get the full Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis report
Medspa Academies did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in South Jordan, UT, Medspa Academies is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $12,394 in student loans. Read the full report on Medspa Academies
Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus placed #27 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in WOODBURY, MN. Students borrow a median of $10,194 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Get the full Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Aveda Institute Madison ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Located in Madison, WI, Aveda Institute Madison is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,555 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Aveda Institute Madison
The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Downers Grove, IL, The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,917. Read more about The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
International College Of Cosmetology placed #30 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Oakland, CA. Students borrow a median of $8,664 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on International College Of Cosmetology
Spa Tech Institute Plymouth placed #31 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Plymouth, MA, Spa Tech Institute Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,117. More on Spa Tech Institute Plymouth
Pci Academy Plymouth did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Plymouth, MN, Pci Academy Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $10,570. Read the full report on Pci Academy Plymouth
Studio Academy Of Beauty came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Chandler, AZ, Studio Academy Of Beauty is a private for-profit institution. Studio Academy Of Beauty Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. More on Studio Academy Of Beauty
Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Sacramento, CA. Graduates carry a median of $10,526 in student loans. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento report
Aveda Institute Denver came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in Denver, CO, Aveda Institute Denver is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full Aveda Institute Denver report
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Spa Tech Institute Westbrook is a private for-profit school based in Westbrook, ME. Graduates carry a median of $7,117 in student loans. Read the full report on Spa Tech Institute Westbrook
Penrose Academy landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $8,043. Read more about Penrose Academy
Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Schaumburg, IL. Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology Cosmetology students take on a median of $7,917 in debt. See the full Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology profile
Aveda Institute Minneapolis landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Students borrow a median of $9,941 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Aveda Institute Minneapolis
Aveda Institute Des Moines came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in West Des Moines, IA, Aveda Institute Des Moines is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Aveda Institute Des Moines
International Academy Of Style landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Reno, NV, International Academy Of Style is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,391. More on International Academy Of Style
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline placed #42 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a private for-profit school based in Shoreline, WA. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $12,344. Get the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline report
Casal Institute Of Nevada landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Casal Institute Of Nevada is a private for-profit school based in Las Vegas, NV. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,500. More on Casal Institute Of Nevada
Avi Career Training landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Avi Career Training is a private for-profit school based in Great Falls, VA. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,333. Read more about Avi Career Training
Hoss Lee Academy landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Roseville, CA, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit institution. Hoss Lee Academy Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. See the full Hoss Lee Academy profile
Aveda Institute New York landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Aveda Institute New York is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full Aveda Institute New York report
Aveda Institute Chicago ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Aveda Institute Chicago is a private for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Chicago
Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Chester, OH, Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati profile
Pci Academy Ames ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Ames, IA. Students borrow a median of $10,570 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Pci Academy Ames
Xenon International Academy Omaha landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Located in Omaha, NE, Xenon International Academy Omaha is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Xenon International Academy Omaha
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus landed the #53 spot in the United States this year. Based in Vancouver, WA, Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,556. See the full Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus profile
Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute placed #54 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Bethpage, NY, Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute is a private for-profit institution. Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. More on Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute
Related Cosmetology Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Cosmetology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1613 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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