2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
In 2021-2022, 124,611 degrees and certificates were awarded to cosmetology students, making the major the most popular in the country.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 157 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 15% Best Cosmetology Schools
Our 2023 rankings named University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology the best school in the Great Lakes Region for cosmetology students. Located in the large city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a great place for cosmetology students. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Milwaukee.
Read full report on Cosmetology at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Universal Spa Training Academy. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Universal Spa Training Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Carmel, Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Aveda Institute - Madison is a great place for cosmetology students. Aveda Institute - Madison is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Madison.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Madison
The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. TSPA - Onalaska is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Onalaska.
The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Downers Grove.
Advanced College of Cosmetology ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Advanced College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the distant town of Waupun.
Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati ranked #9 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Aveda Fredric's Institute - Cincinnati is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Chester.
Full Cosmetology at Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati Report
G Skin & Beauty Institute landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. G Skin and Beauty Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Schaumburg.
Read full report on Cosmetology at G Skin & Beauty Institute
With a ranking of #11, Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis Report
Aveda Institute - Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Chicago, Aveda Institute - Chicago is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. TSPA - Appleton is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Appleton.
Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton
Paul Mitchell the School Columbus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Columbus, Paul Mitchell the School Columbus is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Columbus Report
Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Kentwood.
With a ranking of #16, Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Skokie.
With a ranking of #17, G Skin & Beauty Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Oakbrook, Naperville Skin Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology & Spa Academy landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Crystal Lake, Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Niles School of Cosmetology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Niles, Niles School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Niles School of Cosmetology
With a ranking of #21, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Tricoci LBV is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Libertyville.
Aveda Institute - Columbus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #22 on the list. Aveda Institute - Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus.
With a ranking of #23, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the medium-sized city of Elgin, Tricoci Elgin is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin
Additional Noteworthy Schools
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 Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
| 25 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI |
| 26 | The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood | Plainfield, IL |
| 27 | Salon Institute-Toledo Campus | Toledo, OH |
| 28 | Paul Mitchell the School Normal | Normal, IL |
| 29 | The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville | Evansville, IN |
| 30 | L’esprit Academy | Canton, MI |
| 31 | Twin City Beauty College | Saint Joseph, MI |
Best Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 2,766 |
| Indiana | 1,897 |
| Wisconsin | 1,320 |
| Ohio | 3,404 |
| Illinois | 3,922 |
Cosmetology Related Rankings by Major
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 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| 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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