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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

16 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 685 degrees and certificates from an Iowa school, making the subject the 5th in the state.

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Iowa 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 Iowa

Check out the cosmetology undergraduate certificate programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools

#1

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA

Our 2023 rankings named Aveda Institute - Des Moines the best school in Iowa for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Aveda Institute - Des Moines is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Des Moines.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Des Moines carry an average student debtload of $10,013. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $109, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#2

E Q School of Hair Design

Council Bluffs, IA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means E Q School of Hair Design is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. EQ School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Council Bluffs.

Full Cosmetology at E Q School of Hair Design Report

#3

Capri College, Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, IA

Out of the 16 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Capri College, Cedar Rapids landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Cedar Rapids, Capri College, Cedar Rapids is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Capri College, Cedar Rapids carry an average student debtload of $9,226. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $64, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Capri College, Cedar Rapids Report

#4

PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, IA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend PCI Academy-Ames. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. Located in the small city of Ames, PCI Academy-Ames is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at PCI Academy-Ames take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,417. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $102, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Ames Report

Out of the 16 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, La James International College-Cedar Falls landed the # 5 spot on the list. La James International College-Cedar Falls is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Falls.

Cosmetology majors at La James International College-Cedar Falls take out an average of $11,713 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at La James International College-Cedar Falls Report

#6

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

With a ranking of #6, Capri College, Dubuque did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Dubuque, Capri College, Dubuque is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Capri College, Dubuque carry an average student debtload of $9,226. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $74, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #7, La James International College-Davenport did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. La James International College-Davenport is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Davenport.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at La James International College-Davenport accumulate an average of around $9,117 in student debt.

Read More…

#8

Capri College, Davenport

Davenport, IA

Capri College, Davenport 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 Davenport, Capri College, Davenport is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Capri College, Davenport take out $8,927 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri College, Davenport

Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines ranked #9 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. ISB is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Des Moines.

On average, cosmetology graduates from ISB take out $8,667 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,184
Missouri 1,382
Minnesota 1,054
South Dakota 209
North Dakota 203
Nebraska 441

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

Majors Similar 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 16 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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