Find Trade Colleges

What Do You Want to Study?

Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

92 Colleges
$12,975 Avg Tuition & Fees*

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 14,178 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 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 92 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for cosmetology students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Check out the cosmetology basic certificate programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 25 Best Middle Atlantic Region Schools for Affordable Quality for an Award Taking Less Than 1 Year in Cosmetology

#1

Laurel Business Institute

Uniontown, PA

Our 2023 rankings named Laurel Business Institute the best value school in the Middle Atlantic Region for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the small suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

LBI undergraduate students pay an average of $11,470 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, LBI also is in the top 20% of our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Business Institute

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Penn Commercial Business/Technical School is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Penn Commercial are $12,116 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School

#3

Laurel Technical Institute

MEADVILLE, PA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Laurel Technical Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. LTI - Meadville is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LTI - Meadville are $11,470 a year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute

#4

Laurel Technical Institute

Hermitage, PA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Laurel Technical Institute. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. LTI Sharon is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Hermitage.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTI Sharon are $11,470 per year.

Full Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute Report

#5

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Douglas Education Center is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Douglas Education Center is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Monessen.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Douglas Education Center are $18,350 a year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Douglas Education Center

With a ranking of #6, Divine Crown Barber & Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Divine Crown Barber & Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Harrisburg.

Full Cosmetology at Divine Crown Barber & Beauty Academy Report

South Hills Beauty Academy Inc came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Pittsburgh, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc

Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of North Plainfield.

Full Cosmetology at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield Report

With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-North Hills did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Empire Beauty School-North Hills is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Pittsburgh.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-North Hills

Aveda Institute - New York came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the city of New York, Aveda Institute - New York is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - New York

With a ranking of #6, Shear Ego International School of Hair Design did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Shear Ego International School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester.

Read More…

#6

Total Image Beauty Academy

Union City, NJ

With a ranking of #6, Total Image Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the suburb of Union City, Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Total Image Beauty Academy Report

Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Moosic, Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Christine Valmy International School is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pine Brook.

Read More…

#6

The Beauty Institute

Whitehall, PA

The Beauty Institute ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. The Beauty Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Whitehall.

Full Cosmetology at The Beauty Institute Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Tonawanda landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. TSPA - Tonawanda is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tonawanda.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Tonawanda Report

Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Nanuet, Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers

Empire Beauty School-Cherry Hill ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Empire Beauty School-Cherry Hill is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Cherry Hill.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Capri Institute of Hair Design, Brick did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Capri Institute of Hair Design, Brick is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Brick.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri Institute of Hair Design, Brick

Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large city of Washington, TSPA - Washington DC is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Levittown.

Read More…

Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Feasterville, Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the fringe town of New Castle, Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy Report

#6

Bennett Career Institute

Washington, DC

Bennett Career Institute ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large city of Washington, Bennett Career Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read More…

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.

State Degrees Awarded
New York 5,055
Pennsylvania 3,378
New Jersey 2,419
Maryland 1,103
Delaware 343
District of Columbia 160

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 92 schools only.

  • 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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

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