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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in California
Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You
In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 10,294 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 79 schools in California to see which ones offered the best basic certificate programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in California
Check out the cosmetology basic certificate programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 15% Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools
Our analysis found San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in California. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Out of the 79 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, J D Academy of Salon and Spa landed the # 2 spot on the list. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Danville.
Read full report on Cosmetology at J D Academy of Salon and Spa
The excellent basic certificate programs at Academy for Salon Professionals helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. Academy for Salon Professionals is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Northridge.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Academy for Salon Professionals
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend International College of Cosmetology. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in California list. International College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.
Read full report on Cosmetology at International College of Cosmetology
The excellent basic certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento
Hoss Lee Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Roseville, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cinta Aveda Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Santa Rosa, Lytle's Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc
The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose ranked #9 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in California list. TSPA - San Jose is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Jose.
Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose
Hilltop Beauty School ranked #11 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy | Santa Fe Springs, CA |
| 13 | Cosmo Beauty Academy | Sacramento, CA |
| 14 | Blake Austin College | Vacaville, CA |
| 15 | Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena | Pasadena, CA |
Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 2,041 |
| Oregon | 1,020 |
| Nevada | 1,575 |
| Hawaii | 183 |
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.
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