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Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

108 Colleges
$12,521 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,014 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 12,458 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 108 schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.

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 the Middle Atlantic Region

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

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

#1

Laurel Business Institute

Uniontown, PA

Our analysis found Laurel Business Institute to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the small suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LBI are $10,970 per year. Cosmetology majors at LBI take out an average of $13,121 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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

Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Business Institute

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Penn Commercial Business/Technical School. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Penn Commercial are $12,075 a year. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $118.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School

#3

Laurel Technical Institute

MEADVILLE, PA

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Laurel Technical Institute helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . LTI - Meadville is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTI - Meadville are $10,582 per year.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Laurel Technical Institute. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the rural area of Sharon, LTI Sharon is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

LTI Sharon undergraduate students pay an average of $11,028 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute

#5

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA

Out of the 108 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Douglas Education Center landed the # 5 spot on the list. Douglas Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Monessen.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Douglas Education Center are $17,950 per year. Cosmetology majors at Douglas Education Center take out an average of $13,225 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-Lancaster landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Empire Beauty School-Lancaster is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Lancaster.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Lancaster take out $15,696 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $74.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Lancaster Report

Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of West New York, Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York take out $10,368 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $45, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Reading did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Reading, Empire Beauty School-Reading is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Reading take out $16,093 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $82, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Christine Valmy International School is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Pine Brook.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Christine Valmy International School accumulate an average of around $10,350 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology Report

Empire Beauty School-Bloomfield landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Empire Beauty School-Bloomfield is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Bloomfield.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Bloomfield carry an average student debtload of $16,822. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Bloomfield Report

#6

Barber School of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

Barber School of Pittsburgh came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Barber School of Pittsburgh is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Barber School of Pittsburgh accumulate an average of around $16,904 in student debt.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Barber School of Pittsburgh

#6

The Beauty Institute

Allentown, PA

The Beauty Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. The Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Allentown.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from The Beauty Institute carry an average student debtload of $13,587. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $42, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Beauty Institute

Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester accumulate an average of around $13,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $53.

Read More…

#6

Cutting Edge Academy

Succasunna, NJ

With a ranking of #6, Cutting Edge Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Cutting Edge Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Succasunna.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Cutting Edge Academy accumulate an average of around $10,630 in student debt.

Read More…

#6

Brittany Beauty Academy

Brooklyn, NY

Brittany Beauty Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Brittany Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Brooklyn.

Cosmetology majors at Brittany Beauty Academy take out an average of $10,461 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-Union 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 suburb of Union, Empire Beauty School-Union is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Union accumulate an average of around $16,822 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Union

Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-NE Philadelphia carry an average student debtload of $16,907. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham 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. Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Wyncote.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham accumulate an average of around $16,093 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $82, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Monmouth County Vocational School District came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. MCVSD is a fairly small public school located in the suburb of Freehold.

Cosmetology majors at MCVSD take out an average of $10,072 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#6

Total Image Beauty Academy

Union City, NJ

Total Image 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 #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Union City, Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Total Image Beauty Academy

Continental School of Beauty Culture, West Seneca landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Continental School of Beauty Culture, West Seneca is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Seneca.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Continental School of Beauty Culture, West Seneca carry an average student debtload of $12,533. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $49.

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Harrisburg, Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg take out $15,432 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 $77.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg

With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Springfield did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Empire Beauty School-Springfield is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Springfield.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Springfield carry an average student debtload of $15,696. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $74.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Springfield Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC 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 city of Washington, TSPA - Washington DC is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - Washington DC accumulate an average of around $11,103 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC Report

Aesthetic Science Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Latham, Aesthetic Science Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aesthetic Science Institute take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,970. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $63.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aesthetic Science Institute

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology colleges for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.

State Degrees Awarded
New York 5,055
Pennsylvania 3,378
New Jersey 2,419
Maryland 1,103
Delaware 343
District of Columbia 160

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 46,395
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist 31,569
Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist 11,623
Barbering/Barber 8,381
Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist 2,437
Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts 2,278
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician 1,620
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor 1,382
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design 1,029
Make-Up Artist/Specialist 566
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager 291
Electrolysis/Electrology & Electrolysis Technician 253
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup & Tattooing 71

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 19,784
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 108 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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