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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You
Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 34,706 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'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.
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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 midsize city of Athens.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Athens Technical College are $5,462 a year.
Athens Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Georgia Northwestern Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Rome.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Georgia Northwestern Technical College are $5,512 per year.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Georgia Northwestern Technical College
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Valdosta.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College are $5,562 per year.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list.
Full Cosmetology at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Report
Out of the 175 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, West Georgia Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at West Georgia Technical College are $5,522 a 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.
Read full report on Cosmetology at West Georgia Technical College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oconee Fall Line Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, OFTC is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at OFTC are $5,472 a year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, OFTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking.
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 medium-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 $5,482 a year.
With a ranking of #7, Savannah Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the medium-sized city of Savannah, Savannah Tech is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Savannah Tech are $5,442 per year.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Savannah Technical College
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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ogeechee Technical College are $5,540 a year.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Griffin.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southern Crescent Technical College are $5,526 per year.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Southern Crescent Technical College
With a ranking of #10, Georgia Piedmont Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. 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 $5,558 a year.
Augusta Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Augusta Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Augusta.
Augusta Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,662 in tuition and fees each year.
Lanier Technical College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gainesville.
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.
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 midsize city of Columbus.
Columbus Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,442 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Columbus Technical College
Atlanta Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Atlanta Area Tech is a small public school located in the large city of Atlanta.
Atlanta Area Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $5,564 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Atlanta Technical College
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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College are $8,670 a year.
Full Cosmetology at Lurleen B Wallace Community College Report
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. Central Carolina Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Sanford.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Central Carolina Community College are $8,698 a year.
Full Cosmetology at Central Carolina Community College Report
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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Georgia Technical College are $5,472 a year.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a fairly 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.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Wake Technical Community College
Palm Beach State College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate cosmetology programs. Palm Beach State College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth.
Palm Beach State College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,910 in tuition and fees each 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.
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 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.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Asheville, A-B Tech is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
A-B Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $8,976 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Pensacola State College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Pensacola, Pensacola State is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Pensacola State undergraduate students pay an average of $9,475 in tuition and fees each year.
Indian River State College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Indian River State College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,201 in tuition and fees each year.
University of Arkansas - Pulaski 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 #24 on the list. Located in the city of North Little Rock, UA Pulaski Tech is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UA Pulaski Tech are $7,050 a year.
With a ranking of #25, Cleveland 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 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.
Rest of the Top Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
Best Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Georgia | 4,283 |
| South Carolina | 1,516 |
| 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 |
Majors Related to Cosmetology
One of 4 majors within the trade school area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.
Cosmetology Focus Areas
Most Popular Majors Related 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 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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