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Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

49 Colleges
$6,225 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.

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 49 schools in the Plains States 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.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. 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.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Colleges.

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

#1

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN

Our analysis found Saint Paul College to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Plains States Region . Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Saint Paul College are $6,318 a year.

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#2

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ridgewater College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public school with a small student population.

Ridgewater College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,114 in tuition and fees each year.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Kansas City Kansas Community College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a small public school located in the midsize city of Kansas City.

Kansas City Kansas Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,244 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Cosmetology at Kansas City Kansas Community College Report

The excellent basic certificate programs at New Dimensions School of Hair Design helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . New Dimensions School of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Joplin.

Read full report on Cosmetology at New Dimensions School of Hair Design

Out of the 49 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Omaha, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics

#4

Stewart School

Sioux Falls, SD

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stewart School. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the midsize city of Sioux Falls, Stewart School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Stewart School Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Xenon International Academy-Omaha. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Omaha, Xenon International School of hair Design is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Xenon International Academy-Omaha Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Paul Mitchell the School Springfield. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Springfield, Paul Mitchell the School Springfield is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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#4

Black Hills Beauty College

Rapid City, SD

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Black Hills Beauty College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the city of Rapid City, Black Hills Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Black Hills Beauty College

#4

Eric Fisher Academy

Wichita, KS

The excellent basic certificate programs at Eric Fisher Academy helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read More…

#4

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Capri College, Dubuque is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Capri College, Dubuque is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Dubuque.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend House of Heavilin Beauty College-Kansas City. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large city of Kansas City, House of Heavilin Beauty College-Kansas City is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Hays Academy of Hair Design. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hays Academy of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Hays.

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#4

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Aveda Institute - Des Moines. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of West Des Moines, Aveda Institute - Des Moines is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Des Moines

#4

PCI Academy-Plymouth

Plymouth, MN

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means PCI Academy-Plymouth is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the small city of Plymouth, PCI Academy-Plymouth is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at PCI Academy-Plymouth

The excellent basic certificate programs at Academy of Hair Design - Springfield helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . Academy of Hair Design - Springfield is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Springfield.

Full Cosmetology at Academy of Hair Design - Springfield Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means La James International College-Ft Dodge is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the remote town of Fort Dodge, La James International College-Ft Dodge is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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The excellent basic certificate programs at La James International College-Cedar Falls helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the city of Cedar Falls, La James International College-Cedar Falls is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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Out of the 49 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hays Academy of Hair Design landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the town of Salina, Hays Academy of Hair Design - Salina Campus is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Hays Academy of Hair Design

Out of the 49 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, La James International College-Johnston landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Johnston, La James International College-Johnston is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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Out of the 49 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Hair Design-Downtown landed the # 4 spot on the list. College of Hair Design-Downtown is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Lincoln.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. LaJames College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the town of Mason City.

Read full report on Cosmetology at La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology

#4

Neosho Beauty College

Neosho, MO

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Neosho Beauty College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the town of Neosho, Neosho Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Neosho Beauty College Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means La James International College-Davenport is a great value for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the medium-sized city of Davenport, La James International College-Davenport is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Merrell University of Beauty Arts and Science. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Merrell University of Beauty Arts and Science is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Jefferson City.

Read More…

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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

Rank College Location

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,184
Missouri 1,382
Minnesota 1,054
South Dakota 209
Iowa 685
North Dakota 203
Nebraska 441

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

Majors Similar 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 49 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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