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Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

69 Colleges
$6,107 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,014 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

In 2020-2021, 107,895 degrees and certificates were awarded to cosmetology students, making the major the most popular in the country.

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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.

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 Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 69 schools in the Plains States 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.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. 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.

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

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for cosmetology majors pursuing a undergraduate certificate.

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

#1

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Our analysis found Johnson County Community College to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Plains States Region . JCCC is a large public school located in the midsize city of Overland Park.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at JCCC are $5,352 a year. While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at JCCC accumulate an average of around $10,622 in student debt.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Johnson County Community College

#2

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Paul College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Saint Paul College are $6,041 a year. After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Saint Paul College carry an average student debtload of $16,436.

Saint Paul College also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Full Cosmetology at Saint Paul College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lake Area Technical Institute. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. LATI is a small public school located in the remote town of Watertown.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LATI are $6,718 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, LATI is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Read More…

#4

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Ridgewater College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ridgewater College are $5,914 a year. Cosmetology majors at Ridgewater College take out an average of $13,022 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Ridgewater College Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Kansas City Kansas Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . Kansas City Kansas Community College is a small public school located in the medium-sized city of Kansas City.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kansas City Kansas Community College are $6,510 per year. While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Kansas City Kansas Community College accumulate an average of around $12,706 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at Kansas City Kansas Community College Report

Hays Academy of Hair Design 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. Hays Academy of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the town of Hays.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Hays Academy of Hair Design take out $12,349 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#6

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Aveda Institute - Minneapolis is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Minneapolis carry an average student debtload of $11,517. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $102, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Minneapolis Report

House of Heavilin Beauty College-Raymore 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. House of Heavilin Beauty College-Raymore is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Raymore.

Cosmetology majors at House of Heavilin Beauty College-Raymore take out an average of $12,328 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at House of Heavilin Beauty College-Raymore Report

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

Cosmetology majors at Xenon International School of hair Design take out an average of $13,531 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 $67.

Full Cosmetology at Xenon International Academy-Omaha Report

#6

Z Hair Academy

Overland Park, KS

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

When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $78.

Full Cosmetology at Z Hair Academy Report

Missouri College of Cosmetology North ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Missouri College of Cosmetology North is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Springfield.

Cosmetology majors at Missouri College of Cosmetology North take out an average of $12,728 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Missouri College of Cosmetology North Report

Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park 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 city of Overland Park, Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $98.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park Report

#6

Eric Fisher Academy

Wichita, KS

Eric Fisher Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Eric Fisher Academy take out $12,938 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 $78.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Eric Fisher Academy

With a ranking of #6, La James International College-Davenport did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Davenport, La James International College-Davenport is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Cosmetology majors at La James International College-Davenport take out an average of $18,596 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#6

Neosho Beauty College

Neosho, MO

Neosho Beauty College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the town of Neosho, Neosho Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

#6

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

Capri College, Dubuque ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Capri College, Dubuque is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Dubuque.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Capri College, Dubuque carry an average student debtload of $13,164. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $67.

Full Cosmetology at Capri College, Dubuque Report

Paul Mitchell the School Wichita came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the city of Wichita, Paul Mitchell the School Wichita is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Wichita carry an average student debtload of $13,821.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Wichita Report

#6

Stewart School

Sioux Falls, SD

Stewart School came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Sioux Falls, Stewart School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Stewart School take out an average of $13,327 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $58, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School St Louis landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School St Louis is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of St. Louis.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $116, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School St Louis

Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. ISB is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Ottumwa.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at ISB take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $15,137.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa

#6

City Pointe Beauty Academy

Webb City, MO

City Pointe Beauty Academy came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. City Pointe Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Webb City.

Read full report on Cosmetology at City Pointe Beauty Academy

#6

The Hair Academy

Bismarck, ND

The Hair Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. The Hair Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bismarck.

On average, cosmetology graduates from The Hair Academy take out $16,322 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

Empire Beauty School-Spring Lake Park ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Empire Beauty School-Spring Lake Park is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Spring Lake Park.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Spring Lake Park take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $16,822. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $73.

Read More…

#6

Skin Institute

Saint Louis, MO

Skin Institute ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Skin Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

Cosmetology majors at Skin Institute take out an average of $9,323 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Skin Institute Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. TSPA - Fargo is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.

Cosmetology majors at TSPA - Fargo take out an average of $16,775 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,184
Missouri 1,382
Minnesota 1,054
South Dakota 209
Iowa 685
North Dakota 203
Nebraska 441

Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of trade school programs to choose from.

Cosmetology Concentrations

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

Majors Similar to Cosmetology

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 69 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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