Find Trade Colleges

Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia

2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia

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

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is one of the most popular subjects to study in Virginia. With 1,085 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022, it ranked 6th out of all the majors we track in the state.

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 Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 11 schools in Virginia 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 Virginia

The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a undergraduate certificate.

Top 10 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools

Our analysis found Paul Mitchell the School Mclean to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Virginia. 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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large 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.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Roanoke, Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Virginia School of Hair Design is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. 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

Out of the 11 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Rudy & Kelly Academy - A Paul Mitchell Partner School landed the # 5 spot on the list. Rudy & Kelly Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Rudy & Kelly Academy accumulate an average of around $12,525 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $115.

Read More…

#6

Luckes Beauty Academy

Newport News, VA

Luckes Beauty 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 #6 on the list. Luckes Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Newport News.

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach carry an average student debtload of $12,906. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $81.

Read More…

Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Sylvain Melloul Int'l Hair Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Sylvain Melloul Int'l Hair Academy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,846.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy

Empire Beauty School-Midlothian landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Empire Beauty School-Midlothian is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Midlothian.

Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Midlothian take out an average of $11,517 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 $80.

Read More…

Staunton School 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 #10 on the list. Staunton School of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Staunton.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Staunton School of Cosmetology

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that 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
Alabama 821
Kentucky 1,003
Tennessee 2,270
Mississippi 872

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

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 11 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.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.