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Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

150 Colleges
$11,224 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,041 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate 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.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

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 the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 150 schools in the Great Lakes Region 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.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.

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

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Check out the cosmetology undergraduate certificate programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

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

Our 2023 rankings named Chippewa Valley Technical College the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. CVTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at CVTC are $6,793 a year. Cosmetology majors at CVTC take out an average of $10,815 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

CVTC also took the #5 spot in our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region rankings.

Full Cosmetology at Chippewa Valley Technical College Report

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. WCTC is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Pewaukee.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCTC are $6,722 a year. While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at WCTC accumulate an average of around $8,974 in student debt.

WCTC also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Full Cosmetology at Waukesha County Technical College Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Madison Area Technical College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Madison College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Madison.

Madison College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,812 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Madison College is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Madison Area Technical College

#4

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mid-State Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Mid-State is a small public school located in the rural area of Wisconsin Rapids.

Mid-State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,850 in tuition and fees each year. Cosmetology majors at Mid-State take out an average of $6,206 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the rural area of Shell Lake, WITC is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WITC are $6,624 per year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at WITC take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $5,009.

Full Cosmetology at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Report

Gateway Technical 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 #6 on the list. Located in the midsize suburb of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Gateway Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,917 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Gateway Technical College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,917.

Full Cosmetology at Gateway Technical College Report

Fox Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize suburb of Appleton, FVTC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at FVTC are $6,977 a year.

FVTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full Cosmetology at Fox Valley Technical College Report

With a ranking of #8, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Milwaukee, MATC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

MATC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,018 in tuition and fees each year. On average, cosmetology graduates from MATC take out $10,514 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Milwaukee Area Technical College Report

#9

Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL

Lake Land 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 #9 on the list. Located in the town of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Lake Land College are $13,905 a year. Cosmetology majors at Lake Land College take out an average of $4,266 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Lake Land College Report

Northern Michigan University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Northern Michigan University undergraduate students pay an average of $18,570 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman 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 #11 on the list. Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Chicago.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Harry S Truman College are $14,430 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

#12

Dorsey College, Roseville

Roseville, MI

Dorsey College, Roseville ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Dorsey College, Roseville is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Roseville.

Dorsey College, Roseville undergraduate students pay an average of $31,680 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

Moler Hollywood Beauty 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 #13 on the list. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, Moler Hollywood Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Moler Hollywood Beauty Academy carry an average student debtload of $6,571.

Full Cosmetology at Moler Hollywood Beauty Academy Report

Paul Mitchell the School Lombard did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the suburb of Lombard, Paul Mitchell the School Lombard is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Lombard take out $12,684 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 $117.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Lombard Report

Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Canal Winchester ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Canal Winchester is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Canal Winchester take out an average of $9,733 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Canal Winchester Report

Paul Mitchell the School Toledo ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Toledo is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Toledo take out $13,150 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $103, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Toledo Report

With a ranking of #13, Paul Mitchell the School Bradley did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Tinley Park, Paul Mitchell the School Bradley is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Bradley take out an average of $9,867 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $137.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Bradley Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. TSPA - Evansville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Evansville.

Cosmetology majors at TSPA - Evansville take out an average of $10,262 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $87, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville Report

With a ranking of #13, Summit Salon Academy - Anderson did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Summit Salon Academy Anderson is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Anderson.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Summit Salon Academy Anderson take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,940.

Full Cosmetology at Summit Salon Academy - Anderson Report

Allstate Hairstyling & Barber College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Allstate Barber College is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Cleveland.

Full Cosmetology at Allstate Hairstyling & Barber College Report

With a ranking of #13, Empire Beauty School-Milwaukee did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Empire Beauty School-Milwaukee is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Milwaukee accumulate an average of around $11,894 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $91.

Read More…

Summit Salon Academy - Kokomo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Kokomo, Summit Salon Academy Kokomo is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Summit Salon Academy Kokomo accumulate an average of around $8,910 in student debt.

Read More…

With a ranking of #13, Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc-Brunswick did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Brunswick is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Brunswick.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Brunswick take out $8,529 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

Brown Aveda Institute - Strongsville landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Brown Aveda Institute - Strongsville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Strongsville.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Brown Aveda Institute - Strongsville take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,871. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $89.

Read More…

#13

Nuvo College of Cosmetology

Norton Shores, MI

With a ranking of #13, Nuvo College of Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Norton Shores, Nuvo College of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Nuvo College of Cosmetology take out an average of $5,679 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Nuvo College of Cosmetology

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 2,766
Indiana 1,897
Wisconsin 1,320
Ohio 3,404
Illinois 3,922

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 150 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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