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2023 Most Popular Online Cosmetology Trade Schools

5 Colleges
$17,032 Avg Salary
$9,008 Avg Student Debt

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. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Online Cosmetology Trade Schools ranking. This report analyzed 5 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular online programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Online Cosmetology Colleges.

Our 2023 rankings named Oconee Fall Line Technical College the most popular online school in the United States for cosmetology students. OFTC is a small public school located in the rural area of Sandersville.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Oconee Fall Line Technical College

#2

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, CA

Out of the 5 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, College of San Mateo landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of San Mateo, CSM is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Cosmetology at College of San Mateo Report

The excellent online programs at National American University - Rapid City helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in the small city of Rapid City, National American University - Rapid City is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at National American University - Rapid City Report

#4

Compton College

Compton, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Compton College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Online Cosmetology Trade Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Compton, Compton College is a public school with a small student population.

Read More…

#4

Stanly Community College

Albemarle, NC

Out of the 5 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanly Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Stanly Community College Report

View the Most Popular Online Cosmetology Trade Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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 5 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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