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Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

175 Colleges
$6,826 Avg Tuition & Fees*

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 30,513 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

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.

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 Southeast Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 175 schools in the Southeast 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. 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 Southeast 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 Southeast Region Schools for Affordable Quality for an Award Taking Less Than 1 Year in Cosmetology

Our 2023 rankings named Athens Technical College the best value school in the Southeast Region for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Athens Technical College is a small public school located in the medium-sized city of Athens.

Athens Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,462 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Athens Technical College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Athens Technical College

The excellent basic certificate programs at Georgia Northwestern Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Rome.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Georgia Northwestern Technical College are $5,462 a year.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

Out of the 175 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Valdosta.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,552 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Georgia Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco.

West Georgia Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,452 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, West Georgia Technical College also is in the top 20% of our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.

Full Cosmetology at West Georgia Technical College Report

The excellent basic certificate programs at Oconee Fall Line Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the rural area of Sandersville, OFTC is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OFTC are $5,472 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, OFTC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Oconee Fall Line Technical College

Central Georgia Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. CGTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Warner Robins.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at CGTC are $5,442 a year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Central Georgia Technical College

Savannah Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Tech is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Savannah Tech are $5,442 per year.

Read More…

#8

Ogeechee Technical College

Statesboro, GA

Ogeechee Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Ogeechee Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Statesboro.

Ogeechee Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,540 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ogeechee Technical College

Southern Crescent Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the suburb of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Southern Crescent Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,526 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Cosmetology at Southern Crescent Technical College Report

Georgia Piedmont Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Clarkston.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College are $5,578 a year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Augusta Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Augusta Technical College is a small public school located in the midsize city of Augusta.

Augusta Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,632 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Augusta Technical College

#12

Lanier Technical College

Oakwood, GA

Lanier Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the rural area of Oakwood, Lanier Technical College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Lanier Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,666 in tuition and fees each year.

Lanier Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list.

Full Cosmetology at Lanier Technical College Report

#13

Columbus Technical College

Columbus, GA

Columbus Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Columbus Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Columbus.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Columbus Technical College are $5,442 a year.

Read More…

Atlanta Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Atlanta Area Tech is a small public school located in the city of Atlanta.

Atlanta Area Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $5,564 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

With a ranking of #15, Lurleen B Wallace Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Lurleen B. Wallace Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,850 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Lurleen B Wallace Community College

With a ranking of #16, Central Carolina Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Central Carolina Community College are $8,698 a year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Central Carolina Community College

#17

North Georgia Technical College

Clarkesville, GA

North Georgia Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. North Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville.

North Georgia Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,422 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Cosmetology at North Georgia Technical College Report

With a ranking of #18, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wake Technical Community College are $8,912 per year.

Full Cosmetology at Wake Technical Community College Report

#19

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Lake Worth.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Palm Beach State College are $10,910 per year.

Palm Beach State College also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Full Cosmetology at Palm Beach State College Report

Southeastern Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the remote town of Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeastern Technical College are $5,527 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Southeastern Technical College

With a ranking of #21, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the small city of Asheville, A-B Tech is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at A-B Tech are $8,776 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

#22

Pensacola State College

Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Pensacola State undergraduate students pay an average of $9,482 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Cosmetology at Pensacola State College Report

#23

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a public school with a large student population.

Indian River State College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,201 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Indian River State College

University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of North Little Rock, UA Pulaski Tech is a public school with a small student population.

UA Pulaski Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $6,900 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College

Cleveland Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cleveland Community College are $8,746 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cleveland Community College

Rest of the Top Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

Florida Gateway College

Lake City, FL

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
27 Southwestern Community College Sylva, NC
28 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
29 Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC
30 Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson, NC
31 Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC
32 Carteret Community College Morehead City, NC
33 Somerset Community College Somerset, KY
34 Greenville Technical College Greenville, SC
35 Academy of Career Training Kissimmee, FL
35 Gould’s Academy Memphis, TN
35 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Paris Paris, TN
35 Hot Springs Beauty College Hot Springs, AR
35 Shear Excellence Hair Academy Tampa, FL
35 Arkansas Beauty School - Little Rock Little Rock, AR
35 Blue Cliff College - Metairie Metairie, LA
35 John Jay Beauty College Kenner, LA
35 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC
35 Boca Beauty Academy Boca Raton, FL
35 Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington Covington, LA
35 Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-West Palm Beach West Palm Beach, FL
35 Paul Mitchell the School Birmingham Hoover, AL
35 Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics Nails & Cosmetology Clinton, MS
35 Florida Academy Fort Myers, FL
35 Dalton Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology Dalton, GA
35 Love Beauty School Inc Manchester, TN
35 Empire Beauty School-Elizabethtown Elizabethtown, KY
35 Career Beauty College Lawrenceburg, TN
35 Beauty Academy of South Florida Hialeah Gardens, FL
35 Blue Cliff College - Houma Houma, LA
35 Summit Salon Academy - Tampa Tampa, FL
35 Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology Johnson City, TN
35 Arkansas Beauty College Russellville, AR
35 Opelousas School of Cosmetology Opelousas, LA
35 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill Rock Hill, SC
35 International Academy South Daytona, FL
35 Austin’s Beauty College Inc Clarksville, TN
35 Queen City College Clarksville, TN
35 Empire Beauty School-E Memphis Memphis, TN
35 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek Goose Creek, SC
35 College of Wilmington Wilmington, NC
35 PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Glasgow Glasgow, KY
35 Blue Cliff College - Lafayette Lafayette, LA
35 Sunstate Academy Clearwater, FL
35 Marion Technical College Ocala, FL
35 Florida Barber Academy Plantation, FL
35 Health and Style Institute High Point, NC
35 Aveda Institute - Tallahassee Tallahassee, FL
35 Universal Career School Sweetwater, FL
35 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN
35 Palm Beach Academy of Health & Beauty Lake Park, FL
35 Omega Institute of Cosmetology Houma, LA
35 Empire Beauty School-Chenoweth Louisville, KY
35 Barrett and Company School of Hair Design Nicholasville, KY
35 Elaine Sterling Institute Sandy Springs, GA
35 Aveda Institute - South Florida Davie, FL
35 La Belle Beauty School Hialeah, FL
35 Gould’S-Academy Bartlett, TN
35 Academy of Cosmetology Merritt Island, FL
35 Bene’s Career Academy New Port Richey, FL
35 Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design Greenville, NC
35 Miller-Motte College Raleigh Raleigh, NC
35 Stage One-The Hair School Lake Charles, LA
35 International Beauty School 4 Martinsburg, WV
35 Ideal Beauty Academy Louisville, KY
35 Paul Mitchell the School Atlanta Atlanta, GA
35 The Hair Academy LLC Fayetteville, TN
35 Cloyd’s Beauty School 3 Inc Monroe, LA
35 The Salon Professional Academy - Melbourne Melbourne, FL
35 Searcy Beauty College Searcy, AR
35 Arkansas College of Barbering and Hair Design North Little Rock, AR
35 My Le’s Beauty College Gretna, LA
35 Paul Mitchell the School Louisville Louisville, KY
35 Blue Cliff College - Alexandria Alexandria, LA
35 Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale, AR
35 Celebrity Stylist Beauty School Monroe, LA
35 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence Florence, SC
35 Pat Goins Benton Road Beauty School Bossier City, LA
35 New Concept Massage and Beauty School Miami, FL
35 Empire Beauty School-Concord Concord, NC
35 Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-Casselberry Casselberry, FL
35 Arthur’s Beauty College Inc - Jacksonville Jacksonville, AR
35 International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy Atlanta, GA
35 The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics Virginia Beach, VA
35 Florida College of Natural Health-Pompano Beach Pompano Beach, FL
35 Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro Greensboro, NC
35 Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN
35 Chris Beauty College Gulfport, MS
35 Virginia School of Hair Design Hampton, VA
35 The Salon Professional Academy - Delray Beach Delray Beach, FL
35 Elite College of Cosmetology Lexington, TN
35 Loraines Academy & Spa Saint Petersburg, FL
35 La Belle Beauty Academy Miami, FL
35 Sheridan Technical College Hollywood, FL
35 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy - Tampa Tampa, FL
35 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia Columbia, SC
35 University Academy of Hair Design Northport, AL
35 Corinth Academy of Cosmetology Corinth, MS
35 Hollywood Institute - Margate Margate, FL
35 Empire Beauty School-S Memphis Memphis, TN
35 Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-Perth Amboy Perth Amboy, NJ
35 Lake Technical College Eustis, FL
35 Celebrity School of Beauty Miami, FL
35 Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland Parkland, FL
35 Florida Academy of Health & Beauty Oakland Park, FL
35 Parisian Spa Institute Jacksonville, FL
35 Leons Beauty School Inc Greensboro, NC
35 Cosmetology Training Center Lafayette, LA
35 Lively Technical College Tallahassee, FL
35 Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers Hollywood, FL
35 Paul Mitchell the School Esani Roswell, GA
35 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy - Lakeland Lakeland, FL
35 Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy Lynchburg, VA
35 Empire Beauty School-Savannah Savannah, GA
35 Georgia Career Institute Conyers, GA
35 Stevensons Academy of Hair Design New Orleans, LA
35 Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Lafayette Lafayette, LA
35 Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw Kennesaw, GA
35 PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green Bowling Green, KY
35 Summit Salon Academy - Lexington Lexington, KY
35 Latin Beauty Academy Greenacres, FL
35 Sunstate Academy Fort Myers, FL
35 The Salon Professional Academy - North Little Rock North Little Rock, AR
35 Academy of Salon and Spa Fort Smith, AR
35 Academy of Hair Technology Greenville, SC
35 Summit Salon Academy - Gainesville Gainesville, FL
35 The Salon Professional Academy - Ft Myers Fort Myers, FL
35 Elevate Salon Institute - Durham Durham, NC
35 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-North Augusta North Augusta, SC
35 Paul Mitchell the School Memphis Bartlett, TN
35 Paul Mitchell the School Gastonia Gastonia, NC
35 First Coast Technical College Saint Augustine, FL
35 Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy Reston, VA
35 Magnolia College of Cosmetology Jackson, MS
35 North Florida Cosmetology Institute Inc Tallahassee, FL
35 Empire Beauty School-Augusta Augusta, GA
35 Empire Beauty School-Dixie Louisville, KY
35 Florida College of Natural Health-Maitland Maitland, FL
35 Orange Technical College - Westside Campus Winter Garden, FL
35 Rivertown School of Beauty Barber Skin Care and Nails Columbus, GA
35 Charleston Cosmetology Institute Charleston, SC
35 Franklin Academy Cleveland, TN
35 Genesis Career College-Cookeville Cookeville, TN
35 Charleston School of Beauty Culture Charleston, WV
35 Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
35 American Institute of Beauty Largo, FL
35 Georgia Institute of Cosmetology Athens, GA
35 Empire Beauty School-Nashville Brentwood, TN
35 Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics Henrico, VA
35 Avi Career Training Great Falls, VA

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
South Carolina 1,516
Georgia 4,283
Arkansas 1,191
North Carolina 2,549
Florida 10,801
West Virginia 377
Louisiana 3,726
Virginia 1,085
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 46,395
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist 31,569
Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist 11,623
Barbering/Barber 8,381
Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist 2,437
Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts 2,278
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician 1,620
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor 1,382
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design 1,029
Make-Up Artist/Specialist 566
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager 291
Electrolysis/Electrology & Electrolysis Technician 253
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup & Tattooing 71

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 19,784
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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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