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Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

283 Colleges
$15,785 Avg Salary
$11,630 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 30,513 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

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 Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 283 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region

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

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Trade Schools in Cosmetology

Our 2023 rankings named Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics the best school in the Southeast Region for cosmetology students. Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Henrico.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy is a great place for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Reston, DSI Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy

#3

Image Maker Beauty Institute

Hendersonville, TN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Image Maker Beauty Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the suburb of Hendersonville, Image Maker Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Image Maker Beauty Institute Report

#4

Avi Career Training

Great Falls, VA

The excellent programs at Avi Career Training helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Avi Career Training is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Great Falls.

Read More…

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh Report

#6

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

Virginia Beach, VA

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. The Chrysm Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Virginia Beach.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

#7

Gould's Academy

Memphis, TN

Gould’s Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #7 on the list. Gould's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Memphis.

Full Cosmetology at Gould’s Academy Report

#8

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill

#9

Florida Academy

Fort Myers, FL

With a ranking of #9, Florida Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #10, Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville Report

#11

Gould'S-Academy

Bartlett, TN

Gould’S-Academy landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Bartlett, <nil> is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Gould’S-Academy Report

Elevate Salon Institute - Durham came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Durham, Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read More…

Summit Salon Academy - Tampa came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tampa.

Full Cosmetology at Summit Salon Academy - Tampa Report

#14

Elaine Sterling Institute

Sandy Springs, GA

Elaine Sterling Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #14 on the list. Elaine Sterling Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Sandy Springs.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Elaine Sterling Institute

Paul Mitchell the School Mclean ranked #15 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Mclean is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of McLean.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Mclean Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #16 on the list. TSPA - Nashville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville Report

#17

The Beauty Institute

West Palm Beach, FL

The Beauty Institute ranked #17 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large suburb of West Palm Beach, The Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at The Beauty Institute Report

With a ranking of #18, Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Woodbridge.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge Report

#19

Cozmo Beauty School

Bonita Springs, FL

Cozmo Beauty School landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Cozmo Beauty School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bonita Springs.

Full Cosmetology at Cozmo Beauty School Report

Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Roanoke, Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #21, American Institute of Beauty did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. American Institute of Beauty is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Largo.

Full Cosmetology at American Institute of Beauty Report

#22

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, FL

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School Esani did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #23 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Esani is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Roswell.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Esani Report

Virginia School of Hair Design landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Hampton, Virginia School of Hair Design is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh ranked #25 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Mitchell's Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Raleigh.

Full Cosmetology at Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh Report

Rest of the Top Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

Boca Beauty Academy

Boca Raton, FL
#27

Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School

North Little Rock, AR
#30

Keune Academy by 124

Lawrenceville, GA
#32

Empire Beauty School-West Palm

West Palm Beach, FL
#38

My Le's Beauty College

Gretna, LA
#41

Paul Mitchell the School Charleston

North Charleston, SC

Honorable Mentions

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 Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
43 Paul Mitchell the School Columbia Columbia, SC
44 Empire Beauty School-Pineville Charlotte, NC
45 Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro Greensboro, NC
46 Paul Mitchell the School Tampa Tampa, FL
47 Empire Beauty School-E Memphis Memphis, TN
48 Paul Mitchell the School Orlando Oviedo, FL
49 Empire Beauty School-Gwinnett Lawrenceville, GA
50 Empire Beauty School-Florence Florence, KY
51 Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN
52 Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC
53 Empire Beauty School-Lakeland Lakeland, FL
54 The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville Huntsville, AL
55 Tenaj Salon Institute The Villages, FL
56 Paul Mitchell the School Greenville Greenville, SC
56 Designer Barber & Stylist School Ft Smith, AR

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
South Carolina 1,516
Georgia 4,283
Arkansas 1,191
North Carolina 2,549
Florida 10,801
West Virginia 377
Louisiana 3,726
Virginia 1,085
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 46,395
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist 31,569
Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist 11,623
Barbering/Barber 8,381
Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist 2,437
Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts 2,278
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician 1,620
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor 1,382
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design 1,029
Make-Up Artist/Specialist 566
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager 291
Electrolysis/Electrology & Electrolysis Technician 253
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup & Tattooing 71

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 19,784
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

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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