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Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region

511 Colleges
$15,785 Avg Salary
$11,630 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 30,513 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're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.

The Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 511 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Cosmetology program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for cosmetology majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in the Southeast Region . Located in the suburb of Covington, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Celebrity School of Beauty is a great place for cosmetology students. Celebrity School of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami.

Full Cosmetology at Celebrity School of Beauty Report

#3

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a great place for cosmetology students. Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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The excellent programs at La Belle Beauty Academy helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the suburb of Miami, La Belle Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at La Belle Beauty Academy

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Aveda Institute - South Florida is a great place for cosmetology students. Aveda Institute - South Florida is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Davie.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - South Florida Report

#6

Boca Beauty Academy

Boca Raton, FL

Boca Beauty Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Boca Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Boca Raton.

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With a ranking of #7, Georgia Career Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Conyers, Georgia Career Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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#8

Health and Style Institute

High Point, NC

Health and Style Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #8 on the list. Health and Style Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of High Point.

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#9

La Belle Beauty School

Hialeah, FL

With a ranking of #9, La Belle Beauty School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Hialeah, La Belle Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at La Belle Beauty School

With a ranking of #10, Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-Casselberry did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-Casselberry is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Casselberry.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-Casselberry

Blue Cliff College - Metairie did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #11 on the list. Blue Cliff College - Metairie is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Metairie.

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Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hollywood.

Full Cosmetology at Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers Report

American Institute of Beauty ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. American Institute of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Largo.

Full Cosmetology at American Institute of Beauty Report

Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-West Palm Beach came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-West Palm Beach is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of West Palm Beach.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-West Palm Beach

#15

Beauty Academy of South Florida

Hialeah Gardens, FL

Beauty Academy of South Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #15 on the list. Beauty Academy of South Florida is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hialeah Gardens.

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#16

Florida Barber Academy

Plantation, FL

Florida Barber Academy landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Plantation, Florida Barber Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Florida Barber Academy Report

With a ranking of #17, Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Parkland.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland

#17

Sheridan Technical College

Hollywood, FL

With a ranking of #17, Sheridan Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Hollywood, Sheridan Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Sheridan Technical College

#19

Elaine Sterling Institute

Sandy Springs, GA

Elaine Sterling Institute ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Elaine Sterling Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Sandy Springs.

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#20

Parisian Spa Institute

Jacksonville, FL

Parisian Spa Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the large city of Jacksonville, Parisian Spa Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Parisian Spa Institute Report

Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Rome.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the small suburb of Valdosta.

Full Cosmetology at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Report

#23

Savannah Technical College

Savannah, GA

Savannah Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Tech is a public school with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Savannah Technical College

Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Knoxville, Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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#25

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Palm Beach State College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Lake Worth.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Palm Beach State College

#28

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC
#30

Latin Beauty Academy

Greenacres, FL
#31

Bene's Career Academy

New Port Richey, FL
#32

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA
#34

Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School

North Little Rock, AR
#37

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

Virginia Beach, VA
#39

Manatee Technical College

Bradenton, FL
#42

The Esthetic Institute

Vienna, VA
#44

Kaizen Beauty Academy

Pembroke Pines, FL
#47

Florida Academy

Fort Myers, FL
#48

Career Academy of Hair Design

Springdale, AR
#49

My Le's Beauty College

Gretna, LA

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 511 different Southeast cosmetology schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
51 Sunstate Academy Fort Myers, FL
53 Lanier Technical College Oakwood, GA
53 Leons Beauty School Inc Greensboro, NC
55 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA
56 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
56 Paul Mitchell the School Tampa Tampa, FL
56 Sunstate Academy Clearwater, FL
59 Paul Mitchell the School Orlando Oviedo, FL
59 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
61 The Salon Professional Academy - Melbourne Melbourne, FL
62 Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GA
63 International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy Atlanta, GA
64 Hollywood Institute - Margate Margate, FL
65 Paul Mitchell the School Memphis Bartlett, TN
65 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN
65 Futura Career Institute Hialeah, FL
65 The Salon Professional Academy - North Little Rock North Little Rock, AR
69 Orange Technical College - Westside Campus Winter Garden, FL
70 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
70 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GA
70 Blue Cliff College - Lafayette Lafayette, LA
73 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy - Tampa Tampa, FL
73 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek Goose Creek, SC
75 Praxis Institute Miami, FL
76 Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
76 Athens Technical College Athens, GA

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
78 Paul Mitchell the School Atlanta Atlanta, GA
78 Gould’S-Academy Bartlett, TN
78 Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GA
81 Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC
82 Pat Goins Benton Road Beauty School Bossier City, LA
83 Blue Cliff College - Alexandria Alexandria, LA
84 Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-Perth Amboy Perth Amboy, NJ
85 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence Florence, SC
86 Florida College of Natural Health-Maitland Maitland, FL
86 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy - Lakeland Lakeland, FL
86 Paul Mitchell the School Louisville Louisville, KY
86 North Florida Cosmetology Institute Inc Tallahassee, FL
86 Nouvelle Institute Miami, FL
86 Paul Mitchell the School Charleston North Charleston, SC
92 Pensacola State College Pensacola, FL
93 Gould’s Academy Memphis, TN
94 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill Rock Hill, SC
95 Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA
95 Academy of Cosmetology Merritt Island, FL
97 Paul Mitchell the School Columbia Columbia, SC
97 American Academy of Cosmetology Orange Park, FL
99 Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology Johnson City, TN
99 Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh Raleigh, NC
99 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GA
102 Morgantown Beauty College Inc Morgantown, WV

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
South Carolina 1,516
Georgia 4,283
Arkansas 1,191
North Carolina 2,549
Florida 10,801
West Virginia 377
Louisiana 3,726
Virginia 1,085
Alabama 821
Kentucky 1,003
Tennessee 2,270
Mississippi 872

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 25 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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