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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California

2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California

88 Colleges
$17,041 Avg Salary
$8,995 Avg Student Debt

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 2023 rankings named San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc the best school in California for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit college 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend J D Academy of Salon and Spa. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a fairly 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.

Full Cosmetology at J D Academy of Salon and Spa Report

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.

Full Cosmetology at Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc Report

#4

Hilltop Beauty School

Daly City, CA

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Hilltop Beauty School helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. Located in the large suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit college 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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#6

Cinta Aveda Institute

San Francisco, CA

Cinta Aveda Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit college with a 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cinta Aveda Institute

#7

Hoss Lee Academy

Roseville, CA

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 college with a small student population.

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With a ranking of #8, Academy for Salon Professionals did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Academy for Salon Professionals is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large 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

With a ranking of #9, The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. TSPA - San Jose is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose

International College of Cosmetology landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. International College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Oakland.

Read full report on Cosmetology at International College of Cosmetology

#12

Paul Mitchell the School East Bay

Pleasant Hill, CA

Paul Mitchell the School East Bay came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Paul Mitchell the School East Bay is a 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School East Bay

Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit school 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

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 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 Schools 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 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 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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