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Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

175 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 34,706 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022.

Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

The Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 175 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best basic certificate programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

Check out the cosmetology basic certificate programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Trade Schools for an Award Taking Less Than 1 Year in Cosmetology

Our analysis found Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Southeast Region . Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland.

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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy is a great place for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the small city of Reston, DSI Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy

#3

Avi Career Training

Great Falls, VA

Out of the 175 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Avi Career Training landed the # 3 spot on the list. Avi Career Training is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Great Falls.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Avi Career Training

#4

Gould's Academy

Memphis, TN

Out of the 175 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Gould’s Academy landed the # 4 spot on the list. Gould's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Memphis.

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#5

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

Virginia Beach, VA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. The Chrysm Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

#6

Florida Academy

Fort Myers, FL

Florida Academy came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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#7

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came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the of <nil>, <nil> is a school with a student population.

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#8

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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Elevate Salon Institute - Durham 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 large city of Durham, Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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Summit Salon Academy - Tampa came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tampa.

Full Cosmetology at Summit Salon Academy - Tampa Report

American Institute of Beauty did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. American Institute of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Largo.

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#12

Boca Beauty Academy

Boca Raton, FL

With a ranking of #12, Boca Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Boca Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Boca Raton.

Full Cosmetology at Boca Beauty Academy Report

#13

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, FL

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Tallahassee Report

#14

My Le's Beauty College

Gretna, LA

My Le’s Beauty College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. My Le's Beauty College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Gretna.

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Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the small suburb of Covington, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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Aveda Institute - South Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Aveda Institute - South Florida is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Davie.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - South Florida Report

Arkansas Beauty School - Little Rock landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas Beauty School - Little Rock is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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With a ranking of #18, Empire Beauty School-E Memphis did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the large city of Memphis, Empire Beauty School-E Memphis is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-E Memphis Report

With a ranking of #19, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the suburb of Goose Creek, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek Report

Elaine Sterling 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 #20 on the list. Located in the city of Atlanta, Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Elaine Sterling Institute Report

Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Parkland.

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With a ranking of #22, Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro, Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro

#23

Parisian Spa Institute

Jacksonville, FL

Parisian Spa Institute landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Parisian Spa Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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Palm Beach Academy of Health & Beauty came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Palm Beach Academy of Health & Beauty is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Park.

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PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green ranked #25 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bowling Green.

Read full report on Cosmetology at PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green

Rest of the Top Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

Honorable Mentions

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 the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
27 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC
28 Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale, AR
29 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia Columbia, SC
30 Franklin Academy Cleveland, TN
31 Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-Casselberry Casselberry, FL
32 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy - Lakeland Lakeland, FL
33 Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers Hollywood, FL
34 Hollywood Institute - Margate Margate, FL
35 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy - Tampa Tampa, FL

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 4,283
South Carolina 1,516
Arkansas 1,191
North Carolina 2,549
Florida 10,801
West Virginia 377
Louisiana 3,726
Virginia 1,085
Alabama 821
Kentucky 1,003
Tennessee 2,270
Mississippi 872

One of 4 majors within the trade school area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Cosmetology Focus Areas

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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