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Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

26 Colleges
$22,314 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,041 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in Michigan with 2,766 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.

The Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 26 schools in Michigan to see which ones offered the best value undergraduate 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan

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

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

Our analysis found Northern Michigan University to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Michigan. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Marquette.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Northern Michigan University are $12,948 a year.

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#2

Dorsey College, Roseville

Roseville, MI

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Dorsey College, Roseville helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Located in the large suburb of Roseville, Dorsey College, Roseville is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Dorsey College, Roseville are $31,680 a year.

Full Cosmetology at Dorsey College, Roseville Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Located in the small city of Kentwood, Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids take out $9,089 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids Report

#3

Douglas J Aveda Institute

East Lansing, MI

Out of the 26 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Douglas J Aveda Institute landed the # 3 spot on the list. Douglas J Aveda Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of East Lansing.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Douglas J Aveda Institute take out $8,662 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 $122.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Marketti Academy of Cosmetology. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Located in the suburb of Waterford, Marketti Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Marketti Academy of Cosmetology Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at David Pressley School of Cosmetology helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Located in the large suburb of Royal Oak, David Pressley School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from David Pressley School of Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $8,052.

Read full report on Cosmetology at David Pressley School of Cosmetology

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,008.

Full Cosmetology at M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant Report

#3

Hillsdale Beauty College

Hillsdale, MI

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Hillsdale Beauty College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Hillsdale Beauty College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the distant town of Hillsdale.

Full Cosmetology at Hillsdale Beauty College Report

#3

Protege Academy

East Lansing, MI

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Protege Academy helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Protege Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of East Lansing.

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Out of the 26 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Great Lakes landed the # 3 spot on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Great Lakes is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Port Huron.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Great Lakes carry an average student debtload of $9,909. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $88.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan College of Beauty-Troy. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Located in the small city of Troy, Michigan College of Beauty-Troy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Michigan College of Beauty-Troy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,199.

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#3

Protege Academy

Mt. Pleasant, MI

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Protege Academy helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Protege Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the distant town of Mt. Pleasant.

Full Cosmetology at Protege Academy Report

#3

The Salon Professional Academy

Battle Creek, MI

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means The Salon Professional Academy is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. TSPA - Battle Creek is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Battle Creek.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan College of Beauty-Monroe. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Located in the small suburb of Monroe, Michigan College of Beauty-Monroe is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Michigan College of Beauty-Monroe accumulate an average of around $7,141 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at Michigan College of Beauty-Monroe Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at P&A Scholars Beauty School helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Detroit, P&A Scholars is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at P&A Scholars take out an average of $8,707 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at P&A Scholars Beauty School Report

#3

Paul Mitchell the School Michigan

Sterling Heights, MI

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Paul Mitchell the School Michigan. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Paul Mitchell the School Michigan is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sterling Heights.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Michigan accumulate an average of around $7,815 in student debt.

Read More…

#3

L'esprit Academy

Canton, MI

Out of the 26 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, L’esprit Academy landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Canton, L'esprit Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at L'esprit Academy accumulate an average of around $7,561 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at L’esprit Academy Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Dorsey School of Beauty - Taylor. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Dorsey School of Beauty - Taylor is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Taylor.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Dorsey School of Beauty - Taylor take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $14,614.

Read More…

#3

Nuvo College of Cosmetology

Norton Shores, MI

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Nuvo College of Cosmetology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Nuvo College of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton Shores.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Nuvo College of Cosmetology take out $5,679 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Nuvo College of Cosmetology

#3

Elevate Salon Institute

Royal Oak, MI

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Elevate Salon Institute is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Royal Oak, Elevate Salon Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $98, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Elevate Salon Institute Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Located in the small city of Bay City, Bayshire Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc Report

Out of the 26 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Barber School Inc landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Detroit, Michigan Barber School Inc is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Michigan Barber School Inc Report

#3

Empire Beauty School-Michigan

Grand Rapids, MI

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Empire Beauty School-Michigan helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Michigan. Empire Beauty School-Michigan is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Grand Rapids.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Michigan accumulate an average of around $11,307 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $77, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Michigan

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Sharps Academy of Hair Styling is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Grand Blanc, Sharps Academy of Hair Styling is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Sharps Academy of Hair Styling

#3

Twin City Beauty College

Saint Joseph, MI

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Twin City Beauty College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, Twin City Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $87, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Twin City Beauty College

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great value schools for Cosmetology students in the state of Michigan seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Michigan award.

Rank College Location

Best Value Cosmetology Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

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

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 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 26 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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