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Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee

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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee

18 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, cosmetology was ranked 2nd in Tennessee. In fact, 2,270 were awarded in the state in 2021-2022.

Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

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 Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in Tennessee 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 Tennessee

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

Top 10 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools

#1

Gould's Academy

Memphis, TN

Our 2023 rankings named Gould’s Academy the best school in Tennessee for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Gould's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Memphis.

Full Cosmetology at Gould’s Academy Report

#2

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Out of the 18 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the of <nil>, <nil> is a college with a student population.

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Out of the 18 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Empire Beauty School-E Memphis landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Memphis, Empire Beauty School-E Memphis is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-E Memphis

The excellent basic certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Tennessee. Located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro, Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

#5

Franklin Academy

Cleveland, TN

Out of the 18 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Franklin Academy landed the # 5 spot on the list. Franklin Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Cleveland.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Franklin Academy

#6

Austin's Beauty College Inc

Clarksville, TN

Austin’s Beauty College Inc came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. Austin's Beauty College Inc is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Clarksville.

Full Cosmetology at Austin’s Beauty College Inc Report

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the city of Nashville, TCAT - Nashville is a public college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville Report

Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Johnson City, Jenny Lea is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology

Genesis Career College-Cookeville 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. Genesis Career College-Cookeville is a small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Cookeville.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Genesis Career College-Cookeville

With a ranking of #10, Empire Beauty School-Nashville did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Empire Beauty School-Nashville is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Brentwood.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Nashville Report

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that 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
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 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.

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