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Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate 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.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

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 the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 114 schools in the Great Lakes Region 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 the Great Lakes Region

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

Top 15% Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools

Our analysis found University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the large city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Institute of Beauty and Wellness. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness

#3

Universal Spa Training Academy

Downers Grove, IL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Universal Spa Training Academy. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Universal Spa Training Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Downers Grove.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis is a great place for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the city of Carmel, Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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The excellent basic certificate programs at Aveda Institute - Madison helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . Aveda Institute - Madison is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Madison.

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The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.

Full Cosmetology at The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Report

#7

G Skin & Beauty Institute

Schaumburg, IL

G Skin & Beauty Institute landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. G Skin and Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Schaumburg.

Full Cosmetology at G Skin & Beauty Institute Report

Aveda Institute - Chicago 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 city of Chicago, Aveda Institute - Chicago is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Chicago

Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Aveda Fredric's Institute - Cincinnati is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Chester.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska ranked #10 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. TSPA - Onalaska is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Onalaska.

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#11

G Skin & Beauty Institute

Oakbrook, IL

With a ranking of #11, G Skin & Beauty Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the large suburb of Oakbrook, Naperville Skin Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute ranked #12 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Skokie.

Full Cosmetology at Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute Report

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Indianapolis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Indianapolis, Tricoci INE is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Indianapolis Report

#14

Aveda Institute - Columbus

Columbus, OH

With a ranking of #14, Aveda Institute - Columbus did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Aveda Institute - Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Columbus

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Tricoci LBV is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Libertyville.

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Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Elgin, Tricoci Elgin is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Report

#17

L'esprit Academy

Canton, MI

With a ranking of #17, L’esprit Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. L'esprit Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Canton.

Read full report on Cosmetology at L’esprit Academy

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
18 Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake, IL
19 The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville Evansville, IN
20 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
21 Brown Aveda Institute - Strongsville Strongsville, OH
22 Douglas J Aveda Institute East Lansing, MI

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 2,766
Indiana 1,897
Wisconsin 1,320
Ohio 3,404
Illinois 3,922

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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