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Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota

2023 Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota

8 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 1,054 degrees and certificates from a Minnesota school, making the subject the 3rd in the state.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

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 Minnesota ranking. This report analyzed 8 schools in Minnesota 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 Minnesota

The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a basic certificate.

Top Minnesota Trade Schools for an Award Taking Less Than 1 Year in Cosmetology

Our 2023 rankings named Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus the best school in Minnesota for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of WOODBURY.

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#2

PCI Academy-Plymouth

Plymouth, MN

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

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#3

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN

Out of the 8 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Aveda Institute - Minneapolis landed the # 3 spot on the list. Aveda Institute - Minneapolis is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Minneapolis.

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The excellent basic certificate programs at Nova Academy of Cosmetology helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Rochester, Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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#5

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN

Out of the 8 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Paul College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

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Empire Beauty School-Bloomington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Empire Beauty School-Bloomington is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington.

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#7

Model College of Hair Design

Saint Cloud, MN

Model College of Hair Design came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Model College of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Cloud.

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#8

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the remote town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public school with a small student population.

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Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Plains States Region

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

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,184
Missouri 1,382
South Dakota 209
Iowa 685
North Dakota 203
Nebraska 441

Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of trade school programs to choose from.

Cosmetology Concentrations

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 8 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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