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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
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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 2023 rankings named Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics the best school in the Southeast Region for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Ashland.
Full Cosmetology at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small city of Reston, DSI Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy Report
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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Great Falls.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gould’s Academy. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Gould's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Memphis.
The excellent basic certificate programs at The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . The Chrysm Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach.
Florida Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
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Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Elevate Salon Institute - Durham ranked #9 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Durham, Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Elevate Salon Institute - Durham
With a ranking of #10, Summit Salon Academy - Tampa did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Tampa.
With a ranking of #11, American Institute of Beauty did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. American Institute of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Largo.
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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Boca Raton.
With a ranking of #13, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
My Le’s Beauty College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. My Le's Beauty College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Gretna.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small suburb of Covington, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington
With a ranking of #16, Aveda Institute - South Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Aveda Institute - South Florida is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Davie.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - South Florida
With a ranking of #17, Arkansas Beauty School - Little Rock did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas Beauty School - Little Rock is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Empire Beauty School-E Memphis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the large city of Memphis, Empire Beauty School-E Memphis is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Goose Creek, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Elaine Sterling Institute ranked #20 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Atlanta, Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Parkland.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland
Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Murfreesboro, Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro
Parisian Spa Institute ranked #23 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Jacksonville, Parisian Spa Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Palm Beach Academy of Health & Beauty landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Palm Beach Academy of Health & Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Lake Park.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Palm Beach Academy of Health & Beauty
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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Bowling Green.
Full Cosmetology at PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green Report
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 schools 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 |
Rankings in Majors Related to Cosmetology
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 |
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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