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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 analysis found Laurel Business Institute to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the small suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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

LBI also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Business Institute

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Penn Commercial Business/Technical School. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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

Read More…

#3

Laurel Technical Institute

MEADVILLE, PA

The excellent basic certificate programs at Laurel Technical Institute helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . LTI - Meadville is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.

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

Full Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute Report

#4

Laurel Technical Institute

Hermitage, PA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Laurel Technical Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 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.

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

Full Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute Report

#5

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Douglas Education Center. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Douglas Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Monessen.

Douglas Education Center undergraduate students pay an average of $18,350 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Douglas Education Center

#6

Total Image Beauty Academy

Union City, NJ

Total Image Beauty Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Union City, Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read More…

South Hills Beauty Academy Inc 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 suburb of Pittsburgh, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a private for-profit school with a 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield

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 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 college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - New York Report

Shear Ego International School of Hair Design 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. Shear Ego International School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Shear Ego International School of Hair Design

Divine Crown Barber & Beauty Academy 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. Divine Crown Barber & Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Harrisburg.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Divine Crown Barber & Beauty Academy

Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Moosic, Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley Report

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 large suburb of Pine Brook.

Full Cosmetology at Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology Report

#6

The Beauty Institute

Whitehall, PA

The Beauty Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. The Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Whitehall.

Full Cosmetology at The Beauty Institute Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Tonawanda 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. TSPA - Tonawanda is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tonawanda.

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

Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Nanuet, Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers

Empire Beauty School-Cherry Hill 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. Empire Beauty School-Cherry Hill is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Cherry Hill.

Read More…

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

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the city of Washington, TSPA - Washington DC is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC Report

Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute 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. Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Levittown.

Full Cosmetology at Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute Report

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 suburb of Feasterville, Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc Report

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 college with a fairly 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 city of Washington, Bennett Career Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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.

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