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2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California
Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You
In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 10,294 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. 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.
The Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 88 schools in California to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California
The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a undergraduate certificate.
Top 15% Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools
Our analysis found San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in California. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from SFIEC take out $9,528 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $106.
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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at J D Academy of Salon and Spa helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Danville.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from J D Academy of Salon and Spa carry an average student debtload of $7,824. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $92, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Santa Rosa, Lytle's Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $118, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hilltop Beauty School. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Hilltop Beauty School
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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento take out an average of $9,180 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $75.
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Cinta Aveda Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Cinta Aveda Institute accumulate an average of around $8,775 in student debt.
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Hoss Lee Academy came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Roseville, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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Academy for Salon Professionals came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Academy for Salon Professionals is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Northridge.
Cosmetology majors at Academy for Salon Professionals take out an average of $6,853 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
Full Cosmetology at Academy for Salon Professionals Report
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The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. TSPA - San Jose is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - San Jose accumulate an average of around $8,685 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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International College of Cosmetology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. International College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.
Full Cosmetology at International College of Cosmetology Report
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Paul Mitchell the School East Bay ranked #12 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Paul Mitchell the School East Bay is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School East Bay take out $13,481 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $156.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School East Bay Report
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Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,669. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $89, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica Report
Request InformationAdditional 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 Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy | Santa Fe Springs, CA |
| 15 | Bellus Academy - Poway | Poway, CA |
| 16 | Citrus Heights Beauty College | Citrus Heights, CA |
| 17 | Lu Ross Academy | Ventura, CA |
Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 2,041 |
| Oregon | 1,020 |
| Nevada | 1,575 |
| Hawaii | 183 |
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 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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