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Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

88 Colleges
$1,259 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,041 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 10,294 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 88 schools in California to see which undergraduate 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. 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California

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

Top 25 Best California Schools for Affordable Quality for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Cosmetology

#1

Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA

Our analysis found Cerritos College to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in California. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Norwalk.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cerritos College are $1,364 per year.

Read More…

#2

Citrus College

Glendora, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Citrus College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Citrus College is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Glendora.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Citrus College are $1,198 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Citrus College

#3

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Out of the 88 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Riverside City College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Riverside City College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,420 in in-state tuition and fees each year. While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Riverside City College accumulate an average of around $7,129 in student debt.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Riverside City College

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Los Angeles Trade Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in California. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,238 in in-state tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#5

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Golden West College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public school with a large student population.

Golden West College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,190 in in-state tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Golden West College

#6

San Diego City College

San Diego, CA

San Diego City College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a public school with a large student population.

San Diego City College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,144 in in-state tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at San Diego City College

#7

Alhambra Beauty College

Alhambra, CA

With a ranking of #7, Alhambra Beauty College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Alhambra Beauty College is a private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Alhambra.

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International College of Cosmetology ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. International College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.

Full Cosmetology at International College of Cosmetology Report

Salon Success Academy - West Covina ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Salon Success Academy - West Covina is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Covina.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Salon Success Academy - West Covina accumulate an average of around $9,061 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $48, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Salon Success Academy - West Covina

Waynes College of Beauty ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Waynes College of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Salinas.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Waynes College of Beauty accumulate an average of around $5,383 in student debt.

Read More…

International School of Beauty Inc did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the city of Palm Desert, International School of Beauty is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from International School of Beauty take out $7,551 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at International School of Beauty Inc Report

Lyle’s College of Beauty did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Lyle's College of Beauty is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno.

Cosmetology majors at Lyle's College of Beauty take out an average of $9,342 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#7

Elite Cosmetology School

PALM DESERT, CA

Elite Cosmetology School landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Elite Cosmetology School is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of PALM DESERT.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Elite Cosmetology School carry an average student debtload of $10,620.

Full Cosmetology at Elite Cosmetology School Report

#7

Lancaster Beauty School

Lancaster, CA

Lancaster Beauty School came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Lancaster Beauty School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Lancaster Beauty School carry an average student debtload of $8,471.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Lancaster Beauty School

#7

Hoss Lee Academy

Roseville, CA

Hoss Lee Academy landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Roseville, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Hoss Lee Academy

With a ranking of #7, Salon Success Academy - Fontana did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Fontana, Salon Success Academy - Fontana is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Salon Success Academy - Fontana take out an average of $8,316 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $57, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Salon Success Academy - Fontana Report

#7

Palace Beauty College

Los Angeles, CA

With a ranking of #7, Palace Beauty College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Palace Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Palace Beauty College take out $4,318 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#7

Lu Ross Academy

Ventura, CA

Lu Ross Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Lu Ross Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Ventura.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Lu Ross Academy accumulate an average of around $7,318 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #7, Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Fresno Institute of Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Clovis.

Read More…

California Hair Design Academy ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. California Hair Design Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of La Mesa.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at California Hair Design Academy accumulate an average of around $7,392 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at California Hair Design Academy Report

Salon Success Academy - Corona came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Corona, Salon Success Academy - Corona is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Salon Success Academy - Corona take out $8,316 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $57, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Salon Success Academy - Corona Report

#7

Flair Beauty College

Valencia, CA

Flair Beauty College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the suburb of Valencia, Flair Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Flair Beauty College Report

Bellus Academy - El Cajon came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of El Cajon.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Bellus Academy carry an average student debtload of $8,499. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $93.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Bellus Academy - El Cajon

Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Pasadena, Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena take out $10,689 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $106.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena

Best Value Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Value Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 2,041
Oregon 1,020
Nevada 1,575
Hawaii 183

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 88 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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