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2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 274 schools in the Southeast 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 Southeast Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a undergraduate certificate.
Top 25 Top Southeast Region Trade Schools for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Cosmetology
Our 2023 rankings named Image Maker Beauty Institute the best school in the Southeast Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Hendersonville, Image Maker Beauty Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Image Maker Beauty Institute
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Raleigh.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh take out an average of $12,565 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elaine Sterling Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Atlanta, Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Elaine Sterling Institute accumulate an average of around $8,570 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $95.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large city of Jacksonville, Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville carry an average student debtload of $11,987. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $94.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Summit Salon Academy - Tampa helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tampa.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Summit Salon Academy Tampa take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,408. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $147, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill accumulate an average of around $9,150 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $146.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill
Paul Mitchell the School Mclean landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Mclean is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of McLean.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Mclean carry an average student debtload of $11,987. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $94.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Mclean
With a ranking of #8, The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. TSPA - Nashville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Nashville carry an average student debtload of $10,254.
Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville
With a ranking of #9, The Beauty Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of West Palm Beach, The Beauty Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodbridge.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge take out an average of $11,987 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 $94.
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Cozmo Beauty School came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Cozmo Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Bonita Springs.
Aveda Institute - Tallahassee ranked #13 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Tallahassee carry an average student debtload of $8,005. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $80.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Tallahassee
Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke ranked #14 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the midsize city of Roanoke, Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke take out an average of $12,705 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
Virginia School of Hair Design ranked #15 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Hampton, Virginia School of Hair Design is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Virginia School of Hair Design
Paul Mitchell the School Esani came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Esani is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Roswell.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Esani take out an average of $10,378 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 $102.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Esani
Elevate Salon Institute - Durham came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Durham, Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Elevate Salon Institute - Durham carry an average student debtload of $7,889.
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design ranked #18 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Alexander Paul Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Greenville.
Gould’s Academy ranked #19 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Gould's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Memphis.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Gould's Academy take out $7,756 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $72, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Mitchell's Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Raleigh.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Mitchell's Academy take out $5,789 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh
Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School ranked #21 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of North Little Rock.
Cosmetology majors at Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School take out an average of $12,809 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 $95.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School
Pinnacle Institute 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 #22 on the list. Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Mooresville.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology take out $12,390 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw take out $11,894 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 $91.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville ranked #24 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Greenville.
Cosmetology majors at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville take out an average of $8,565 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $105, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Florida Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the small city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Florida Academy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $6,638.
Rest of the Top Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Paul Mitchell the School Orlando | Oviedo, FL |
| 43 | Empire Beauty School-Gwinnett | Lawrenceville, GA |
| 44 | Empire Beauty School-E Memphis | Memphis, TN |
| 45 | Empire Beauty School-Florence | Florence, KY |
| 46 | Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville | Fayetteville, NC |
| 47 | Empire Beauty School-Lakeland | Lakeland, FL |
| 48 | American Institute of Beauty | Largo, FL |
| 49 | The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville | Huntsville, AL |
| 50 | Tenaj Salon Institute | The Villages, FL |
| 51 | The Salon Professional Academy - North Little Rock | Sherwood, AR |
| 52 | Designer Barber & Stylist School | Ft Smith, AR |
| 52 | Paul Mitchell the School Greenville | Greenville, SC |
| 54 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia | Columbia, SC |
Best Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology colleges 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 |
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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