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Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

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2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

12 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 685 degrees and certificates from an Iowa school, making the subject the 5th in the state.

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 12 schools in Iowa 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 Iowa

The following schools top our list of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Colleges.

Top 10 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools

#1

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA

Our analysis found Aveda Institute - Des Moines to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Iowa. Aveda Institute - Des Moines is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Des Moines.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Des Moines

#2

PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, IA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means PCI Academy-Ames is a great place for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the city of Ames, PCI Academy-Ames is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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#3

Capri College, Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, IA

Out of the 12 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Capri College, Cedar Rapids landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Cedar Rapids, Capri College, Cedar Rapids is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Capri College, Cedar Rapids Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means La James International College-Davenport is a great place for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. La James International College-Davenport is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Davenport.

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Out of the 12 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, La James International College-Cedar Falls landed the # 5 spot on the list. La James International College-Cedar Falls is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Falls.

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#6

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

Capri College, Dubuque came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in the small city of Dubuque, Capri College, Dubuque is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Capri College, Dubuque Report

#7

Capri College, Davenport

Davenport, IA

Capri College, Davenport came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in the midsize city of Davenport, Capri College, Davenport is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri College, Davenport

Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. ISB is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Des Moines.

Full Cosmetology at Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines Report

With a ranking of #9, La James International College-Johnston did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. La James International College-Johnston is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Johnston.

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La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology ranked #10 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. Located in the remote town of Mason City, LaJames College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology Report

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,184
Missouri 1,382
Minnesota 1,054
South Dakota 209
North Dakota 203
Nebraska 441

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

Majors Similar 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 12 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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