Find Trade Colleges

Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington

2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington

18 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 2,041 degrees and certificates from a Washington school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. 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 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 Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in Washington to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a basic certificate.

Top 10 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools

Our analysis found Gary Manuel Aveda Institute to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Washington. Located in the city of Seattle, GMAI is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Gary Manuel Aveda Institute

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Everett.

Full Cosmetology at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Shoreline.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline

With a ranking of #6, Aveda Institute Portland - Vancouver Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the city of Vancouver, Aveda Institute Portland - Vancouver Campus is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

Summit Salon Academy - Tacoma ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Located in the midsize city of Tacoma, Summit Salon Academy Tacoma is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Summit Salon Academy - Tacoma

International Beauty Education Center 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. International Beauty Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Airway Heights.

Full Cosmetology at International Beauty Education Center Report

Paul Mitchell the School Richland did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the small city of Richland, Paul Mitchell the School Richland is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read More…

#10

Studio Beauty School

Spokane Valley, WA

Studio Beauty School landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Studio Beauty School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Spokane Valley.

Read More…

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
California 10,294
Oregon 1,020
Nevada 1,575
Hawaii 183

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 18 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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.