Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

59 Colleges
$14,718 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.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This report analyzed 59 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region 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. 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 the Rocky Mountains Region

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

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

Our 2023 rankings named Pickens Technical College the best value school in the Rocky Mountains Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Pickens Technical College is a fairly small public school located in the large city of Aurora.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pickens Technical College are $8,830 per year.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Pickens Technical College

#2

IBMC College

Fort Collins, CO

Out of the 59 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, IBMC College landed the # 2 spot on the list. IBMC is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fort Collins.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at IBMC are $14,960 per year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at IBMC take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,428. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

IBMC also took the #3 spot in our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region rankings.

Full Cosmetology at IBMC College Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Trinidad State Junior College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Trinidad State Junior College are $8,360 a year.

Full Cosmetology at Trinidad State Junior College Report

#4

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, CO

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arapahoe Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the large suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Arapahoe Community College are $15,502 per year.

Full Cosmetology at Arapahoe Community College Report

#5

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID

Out of the 59 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Idaho State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. ISU is a large public school located in the small city of Pocatello.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ISU are $25,936 per year.

Read More…

Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-Provo came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Taylor Andrews Academy - Provo is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Provo.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Taylor Andrews Academy - Provo take out $10,488 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-Provo

Avalon School of Cosmetology - Layton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the suburb of Layton, Avalon School of Cosmetology - Layton is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Avalon School of Cosmetology - Layton take out $7,921 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $80, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Aveda Institute - Twin Falls 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. Aveda Institute - Twin Falls is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Twin Falls.

Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Twin Falls take out an average of $10,836 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#6

Davis Technical College

Kaysville, UT

Davis Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Kaysville, Davis Tech is a public college with a small student population.

Read More…

Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Boise.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology take out $8,698 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 $75.

Read More…

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

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Cheeks Beauty Academy carry an average student debtload of $7,363.

Full Cosmetology at Cheeks Beauty Academy-Cheyenne Report

#6

Collectiv Academy

Sandy, UT

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

On average, cosmetology graduates from Collectiv Academy take out $9,443 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Aveda Institute - Provo did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Provo, Aveda Institute - Provo is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Provo take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,964.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Xenon International Academy-Denver did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Xenon International School of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Aurora.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Xenon International School of Hair Design take out $7,167 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Xenon International Academy-Denver Report

Paul Mitchell the School Boise ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the city of Boise, Paul Mitchell the School Boise is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Boise accumulate an average of around $10,102 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $73.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Boise Report

With a ranking of #6, Evans Hairstyling College-Cedar City did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Evans Hairstyling College-Cedar City is a small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Cedar City.

Cosmetology majors at Evans Hairstyling College-Cedar City take out an average of $6,544 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Evans Hairstyling College-Cedar City Report

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

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Cameo College of Essential Beauty accumulate an average of around $6,484 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at Cameo College of Essential Beauty Report

#6

Mandalyn Academy

American Fork, UT

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

Read full report on Cosmetology at Mandalyn Academy

Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of West Jordan, Taylor Andrews Academy - West Jordan is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Taylor Andrews Academy - West Jordan carry an average student debtload of $10,488.

Full Cosmetology at Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan Report

Acaydia School of Aesthetics landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Provo, Acaydia School of Aesthetics is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Acaydia School of Aesthetics take out an average of $8,128 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Acaydia School of Aesthetics Report

Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City, Skinworks School & Spa of Advanced Skincare is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, The Salon Professional Academy - Colorado Springs did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, TSPA - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at TSPA - Colorado Springs take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,889.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Colorado Springs Report

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

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Thornton accumulate an average of around $11,800 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $72.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Thornton Report

#6

The Barber School

Midvale, UT

The Barber School 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 large suburb of Midvale, The Barber School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at The Barber School take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,105.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Barber School

#6

Montana Academy of Salons

Great Falls, MT

Montana Academy of Salons came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Montana Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Montana Academy of Salons

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Rocky Mountains region.

State Degrees Awarded
Colorado 1,843
Utah 2,876
Idaho 1,174
Montana 184
Wyoming 65

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 59 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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.