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Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia

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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia

6 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is one of the most popular subjects to study in Virginia. With 1,085 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022, it ranked 6th out of all the majors we track in the state.

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 Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 6 schools in Virginia 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 Virginia

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

Top Virginia 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 Virginia for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics

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 Virginia list. Located in the city of Reston, DSI Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy Report

#3

Avi Career Training

Great Falls, VA

Out of the 6 schools in Virginia 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.

Full Cosmetology at Avi Career Training Report

#4

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

Virginia Beach, VA

Out of the 6 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics landed the # 4 spot on the list. The Chrysm Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy is a great place for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Sylvain Melloul Int'l Hair Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Lynchburg.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy

Virginia School of Hair Design came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in the city of Hampton, Virginia School of Hair Design is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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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
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 6 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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