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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 150 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top 15% Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools

Our 2023 rankings named The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska the best school in the Great Lakes Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. TSPA - Onalaska is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Onalaska.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,467. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $110.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the small city of Carmel, Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,287. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $126, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Aveda Institute - Madison is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Aveda Institute - Madison is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Madison.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Madison accumulate an average of around $8,467 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $110.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Madison

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . TSPA - Appleton is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Appleton.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - Appleton accumulate an average of around $10,527 in student debt.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton

Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Aveda Fredric's Institute - Cincinnati is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Chester.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Fredric's Institute - Cincinnati take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,479. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $129, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Advanced College of Cosmetology ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Advanced College of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the town of Waupun.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Advanced College of Cosmetology take out $11,390 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Advanced College of Cosmetology Report

Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,941.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis

University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $7,464.

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Aveda Institute - Chicago ranked #10 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Aveda Institute - Chicago is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Chicago carry an average student debtload of $8,777. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $155, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Paul Mitchell the School Columbus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large city of Columbus, Paul Mitchell the School Columbus is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Columbus take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,163. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $127.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Columbus

Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids take out an average of $9,089 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#13

Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Crystal Lake, IL

Cosmetology & Spa Academy landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Crystal Lake, Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Cosmetology & Spa Academy take out $9,798 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee

With a ranking of #15, Niles School of Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Niles, Niles School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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With a ranking of #16, Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. CVTC is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.

Cosmetology majors at CVTC take out an average of $10,815 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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With a ranking of #17, The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,098.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the city of Elgin, Tricoci Elgin is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Tricoci Elgin take out an average of $9,255 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $105.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Tricoci LBV is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Libertyville.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci LBV take out $9,255 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $105.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville

The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. TSPA - Shorewood is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Plainfield.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Shorewood carry an average student debtload of $10,925.

Read More…

The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. TSPA - Evansville is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Evansville.

Cosmetology majors at TSPA - Evansville take out an average of $10,262 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $87, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Salon Institute-Toledo Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. Salon Institute-Toledo Campus is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Toledo.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Salon Institute-Toledo Campus take out $11,953 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
23 Paul Mitchell the School Normal Normal, IL
24 Empire Beauty School-Michigan Grand Rapids, MI
25 Aveda Institute - Columbus Columbus, OH
26 Twin City Beauty College Saint Joseph, MI
27 Hair Professionals Career College Sycamore, IL
28 G Skin & Beauty Institute Schaumburg, IL
29 Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Heath Heath, OH
30 Rudae’s School of Beauty Culture-Ft Wayne Fort Wayne, IN

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 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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