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Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

37 Colleges
$14,375 Avg Tuition & Fees*

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

In 2021-2022, 124,611 degrees and certificates were awarded to cosmetology students, making the major the most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. 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.

The Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 37 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones offered the best value basic certificate programs for cosmetology students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

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. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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 Rocky Mountains Region Schools for Affordable Quality for an Award Taking Less Than 1 Year in Cosmetology

Our analysis found Pickens Technical College to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Rocky Mountains Region . Pickens Technical College is a small public school located in the large city of Aurora.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pickens Technical College are $8,830 per year.

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The excellent basic certificate programs at Trinidad State Junior College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the remote town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Trinidad State Junior College are $8,360 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Trinidad State Junior College also is in the top 15% of our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

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#3

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID

Out of the 37 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Idaho State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. ISU is a large public school located in the small city of Pocatello.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ISU are $25,936 a year.

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#4

International Salon and Spa Academy

Colorado Springs, CO

The excellent basic certificate programs at International Salon and Spa Academy helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . International Salon and Spa Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs.

Full Cosmetology at International Salon and Spa Academy Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the distant town of Rexburg.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Technical College of the Rockies. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Technical College of the Rockies is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Delta.

Full Cosmetology at Technical College of the Rockies Report

#4

Mandalyn Academy

American Fork, UT

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mandalyn Academy. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Mandalyn Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of American Fork.

Full Cosmetology at Mandalyn Academy Report

#4

Montana Academy of Salons

Great Falls, MT

Out of the 37 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Montana Academy of Salons landed the # 4 spot on the list. Montana Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Montana Academy of Salons

The excellent basic certificate programs at Aveda Institute - Denver helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Aveda Institute - Denver is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Denver

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Paul Mitchell the School Salt Lake City. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Salt Lake City is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Holladay.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Salt Lake City Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Acaydia School of Aesthetics. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, Acaydia School of Aesthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Boise.

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The excellent basic certificate programs at Ogden-Weber Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the small city of Ogden, Ogden-Weber Tech College is a public school with a small student population.

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#4

Renaissance Academie

Provo, UT

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Renaissance Academie. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Renaissance Academie is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Provo.

Full Cosmetology at Renaissance Academie Report

Out of the 37 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Skin Science Institute landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Sandy, Skin Science Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Skin Science Institute

The excellent basic certificate programs at Cameo College of Essential Beauty helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the suburb of Murray, Cameo College of Essential Beauty is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cameo College of Essential Beauty

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Westminster.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aveda Institute - Provo. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the city of Provo, Aveda Institute - Provo is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Provo

The excellent basic certificate programs at Cheeks Beauty Academy-Forty Collins helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the suburb of Loveland, Cheeks Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Cheeks Beauty Academy-Forty Collins Report

Out of the 37 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Emily Griffith Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Emily Griffith is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Denver.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Salon Professional Academy. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the suburb of Nampa, TSPA - Nampa is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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The excellent basic certificate programs at Aveda Institute - Boise helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Aveda Institute - Boise is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Boise.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Boise. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the midsize city of Boise, Paul Mitchell the School Boise is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Logan. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Logan is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Logan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Logan

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great value schools for Cosmetology students in the Rocky Mountains Region seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region award.

Rank College Location

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology colleges for a specific state in the Rocky Mountains region.

State Degrees Awarded
Colorado 1,843
Utah 2,876
Idaho 1,174
Montana 184
Wyoming 65

Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of trade school programs to choose from.

Cosmetology Concentrations

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 37 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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