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2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 34,706 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022.
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.
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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 small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland.
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 small city of Reston, DSI Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy Report
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 large suburb of Hendersonville, Image Maker Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Avi Career Training. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Avi Career Training is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Great Falls.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Raleigh.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh
The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. The Chrysm Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Virginia Beach.
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 city of Memphis.
With a ranking of #8, Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Florida Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the small city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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 fairly small student population.
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Elevate Salon Institute - Durham ranked #12 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Durham, Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Summit Salon Academy - Tampa did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #13 on the list. Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tampa.
Elaine Sterling Institute landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Elaine Sterling Institute
Paul Mitchell the School Mclean came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Mclean is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of McLean.
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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.
Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville
With a ranking of #17, The Beauty Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of West Palm Beach, The Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #18 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodbridge.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge Report
Cozmo Beauty School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #19 on the list. Cozmo Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bonita Springs.
Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Roanoke, Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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 small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Largo.
Aveda Institute - Tallahassee did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Paul Mitchell the School Esani came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Esani is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Roswell.
Virginia School of Hair Design came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Hampton, Virginia School of Hair Design is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #25 on the list. Mitchell's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh.
Rest of the Top Best Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
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 | West 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 colleges for a specific state in the Southeast 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 |
| Virginia | 1,085 |
| Alabama | 821 |
| Kentucky | 1,003 |
| Tennessee | 2,270 |
| Mississippi | 872 |
Rankings in Majors Related to Cosmetology
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 |
Most Popular Majors Related 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 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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