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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools

1,542 Colleges
$17,041 Avg Salary
$8,995 Avg Student Debt

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. 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 Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. This report analyzed 1,542 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular undergraduate certificate 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 following schools top our list of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Colleges.

Our 2023 rankings named National University College the most popular school in the United States for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the midsize city of Bayamon, National University College is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

Women make up 74% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at National University College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,183.

Full Cosmetology at National University College Report

Out of the 1,542 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington landed the # 2 spot on the list. Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Covington.

Women make up 95% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington take out $9,238 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 $88.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington Report

#3

Douglas J Aveda Institute

East Lansing, MI

Out of the 1,542 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Douglas J Aveda Institute landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of East Lansing, Douglas J Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Women make up 91% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Douglas J Aveda Institute accumulate an average of around $8,662 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $122.

Read More…

#4

Century College

San Juan, PR

Out of the 1,542 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Century College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Century College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of San Juan.

Women make up 81% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Century College

Out of the 1,542 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Olympian Academy of Cosmetology landed the # 5 spot on the list. Olympian Academy of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Alamogordo.

Of the 255 students majoring in cosmetology at Olympian Academy of Cosmetology, 26% are male and 74% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Olympian Academy of Cosmetology take out an average of $10,860 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $52, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Everett.

About 96% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 4% are male.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,374. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $100, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett Report

Instituto Educativo Premier did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Premier is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Ponce.

About 75% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 25% are male.

Read More…

#8

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, FL

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Tallahassee.

About 94% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 6% are male.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Tallahassee take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,005. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $80.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Tallahassee Report

Celebrity School of Beauty landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Miami, Celebrity School of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Of the 178 students majoring in cosmetology at Celebrity School of Beauty, 21% are male and 79% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Celebrity School of Beauty take out an average of $6,576 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 $33.

Full Cosmetology at Celebrity School of Beauty Report

Modern Hairstyling Institute-Bayamon came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Located in the city of Bayamon, Modern Hairstyling Institute-Bayamon is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Of the 146 students majoring in cosmetology at Modern Hairstyling Institute-Bayamon, 31% are male and 69% are female.

Full Cosmetology at Modern Hairstyling Institute-Bayamon Report

Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Worcester.

Of the 187 students majoring in cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester, 3% are male and 97% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester take out an average of $8,112 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $119, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester

Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Stafford ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Stafford, Ogle School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

About 99% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 1% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Ogle School carry an average student debt load of $8,131. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $74.

Read More…

#13

Health and Style Institute

Greensboro, NC

With a ranking of #13, Health and Style Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Health and Style Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Greensboro.

Of the 251 students majoring in cosmetology at Health and Style Institute, 1% are male and 99% are female.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Health and Style Institute accumulate an average of around $9,115 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $98, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Health and Style Institute

#14

Georgia Career Institute

Conyers, GA

Georgia Career Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #14 on the list. Georgia Career Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Conyers.

Of the 256 students majoring in cosmetology at Georgia Career Institute, 2% are male and 98% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Georgia Career Institute take out an average of $8,518 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $72, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Georgia Career Institute

#15

Bella Capelli Academy

Monroeville, PA

Bella Capelli Academy ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Bella Capelli Academy a Paul Mitchell partner school is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Monroeville.

Women make up 97% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $114, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Bella Capelli Academy Report

Aveda Institute - South Florida came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Davie, Aveda Institute - South Florida is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 94% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - South Florida take out an average of $8,031 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 $64.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - South Florida

#17

Medspa Academies

South Jordan, UT

Medspa Academies ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Located in the large suburb of South Jordan, National Institute of Medical Aesthetics is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Women make up 99% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Cosmetology majors at National Institute of Medical Aesthetics take out an average of $9,624 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Medspa Academies

With a ranking of #17, Bellus Academy - Poway did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Poway.

About 91% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 9% are male.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy accumulate an average of around $9,559 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $99.

Full Cosmetology at Bellus Academy - Poway Report

#19

Parisian Beauty School

Hackensack, NJ

With a ranking of #19, Parisian Beauty School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Hackensack, Parisian Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 93% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Parisian Beauty Academy carry an average student debt load of $8,436. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $85.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Parisian Beauty School

Paul Mitchell the School Temecula ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Paul Mitchell the School Temecula is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Temecula.

About 90% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 10% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Temecula carry an average student debt load of $13,174. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $137, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Temecula

San Jacinto Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. San Jacinto College is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Pasadena.

About 97% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 3% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from San Jacinto College carry an average student debt load of $9,945.

Read full report on Cosmetology at San Jacinto Community College

Paul Mitchell the School Arlington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Arlington is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Arlington.

Of the 202 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Arlington, 10% are male and 90% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Arlington take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,535. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $88.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Arlington Report

Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Dallas landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of Dallas, Ogle School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 125 students majoring in cosmetology at Ogle School, 2% are male and 98% are female.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Ogle School accumulate an average of around $8,145 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $81.

Read More…

With a ranking of #23, Elaine Sterling Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Elaine Sterling Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.

Of the 287 students majoring in cosmetology at Elaine Sterling Institute, 3% are male and 97% are female.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Elaine Sterling Institute carry an average student debt load of $8,570. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $95.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Elaine Sterling Institute

Emma’s Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Juana Diaz.

Of the 132 students majoring in cosmetology at Emma's Beauty Academy-Juana Diaz, 34% are male and 66% are female.

Read More…

#28

Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School

North Little Rock, AR
#34

Jean Madeline Aveda Institute

Philadelphia, PA
#37

Beauty Academy of South Florida

Hialeah Gardens, FL
#41

Eric Fisher Academy

Wichita, KS
#41

Florida Barber Academy

Plantation, FL
#47

Studio Academy of Beauty

Chandler, AZ

Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1542 different United States cosmetology schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
49 Paul Mitchell the School Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH
49 Paul Mitchell the School Webster Webster, TX
53 Paul Mitchell the School Tampa Tampa, FL
54 Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers Nanuet, NY
55 Paul Mitchell the School Orlando Oviedo, FL
56 Aveda Institute - Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN
57 Emily Griffith Technical College Denver, CO
57 D’Mart Institute Barranquitas, PR
59 New England Hair Academy Malden, MA
60 Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics Woburn, MA
60 Neo-Esthetique European Institute San Juan, PR
60 Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-North Dallas Dallas, TX
60 Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan West Jordan, UT
64 Institute of Beauty Careers Arecibo, PR
65 Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano Plano, TX
65 Houston Barber School Houston, TX
67 Paul Mitchell the School Boise Boise, ID
68 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
68 Paul Mitchell the School Memphis Memphis, TN
70 Acaydia School of Aesthetics Provo, UT
70 The Salon Professional Academy - North Little Rock Sherwood, AR
70 Paul Mitchell the School Cleveland Twinsburg, OH
70 Avalon School of Cosmetology - Phoenix Phoenix, AZ
74 Aveda Institute - San Antonio San Antonio, TX
74 Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin Las Vegas, NV
76 MTI College Sacramento, CA
76 Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis Carmel, IN
76 Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks Sherman Oaks, CA
79 Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
79 Paul Mitchell the School Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
81 Bellus Academy - National City Chula Vista, CA
81 Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, North Dayton Dayton, OH
83 American Educational College Bayamon, PR
84 Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc Knoxville, TN
85 Paul Mitchell the School Columbus Columbus, OH
86 Ogden-Weber Technical College Ogden, UT
86 Texas Barber College Houston, TX
86 Paul Mitchell the School Michigan Sterling Heights, MI
89 Futura Career Institute Hialeah, FL
89 Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
91 Bellus Academy - El Cajon El Cajon, CA
92 Nouvelle Institute Miami, FL
92 Paul Mitchell the School Charleston North Charleston, SC
92 Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento Sacramento, CA
95 Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg Rexburg, ID
95 Paul Mitchell the School Louisville Louisville, KY
95 Arrojo Cosmetology School New York, NY
98 The Salon Professional Academy - St Charles St. Charles, MO
98 Total Image Beauty Academy Union City, NJ
98 Clary Sage College Tulsa, OK
98 Z Hair Academy Overland Park, KS
98 Paul Mitchell the School Atlanta Atlanta, GA
103 Cosmetology Career Center LLC Carrollton, TX
103 Paul Mitchell the School Richland Richland, WA
103 Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton New Carrollton, MD
103 Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake, IL
103 Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc-Alliance Alliance, OH
108 The Beauty Institute-Ambler Ambler, PA
108 Paul Mitchell the School San Diego San Diego, CA
110 Paul Mitchell the School San Antonio San Antonio, TX
110 Penrose Academy Scottsdale, AZ
110 Emma’s Beauty Academy-Mayaguez Mayaguez, PR
113 Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA
113 Bellus Academy Manhattan, KS
113 Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-Provo Provo, UT
116 International School of Beauty Inc Palm Desert, CA
116 Avalon School of Cosmetology - Layton Layton, UT
116 Leons Beauty School Inc Greensboro, NC
116 Paul Mitchell the School Columbia West Columbia, SC
120 Federico Beauty Institute Sacramento, CA
120 Larry’s Barber College Chicago, IL
120 Paul Mitchell the School Nampa Nampa, ID
123 Taylor Andrews Academy-St George St. George, UT
123 Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh Raleigh, NC
123 Continental School of Beauty Culture, Mattydale Mattydale, NY
123 ABC Beauty Academy Richardson, TX
127 Twin City Beauty College Saint Joseph, MI
127 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX
127 Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa Tulsa, OK
127 Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley Moosic, PA
131 Paul Mitchell the School Wichita Wichita, KS
131 Metro Beauty Academy Allentown, PA
131 Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville Brownsville, TX
134 Rudy & Kelly Academy - A Paul Mitchell Partner School Virginia Beach, VA
134 Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg Harrisburg, PA
136 Empire Beauty School-Hooksett Hooksett, NH
136 Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Denton Denton, TX
136 Paul Mitchell the School Chicago Chicago, IL
139 JB’s Hair Design and Barber College Oklahoma City, OK
139 Paul Mitchell the School Salt Lake City Holladay, UT
141 Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester Rochester, NY
142 Empire Beauty School-Queens Astoria, NY
142 The Temple Annapolis - A Paul Mitchell Partner School Annapolis, MD
142 Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Cranston Cranston, RI
145 The Temple - A Paul Mitchell Partner School Frederick, MD
145 Paul Mitchell the School Lexington Lexington, KY
145 Innovate Salon Academy South Plainfield, NJ
145 South Plains College Levelland, TX
145 Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
145 Nova Academy of Cosmetology Rochester, MN
145 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
152 Fullerton College Fullerton, CA
152 Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso El Paso, TX
154 Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics Omaha, NE
154 Paul Mitchell the School Austin Austin, TX
154 Paul Mitchell the School Mclean McLean, VA
154 Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park Overland Park, KS
154 Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OK
159 Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN
159 Alamo City Barber College San Antonio, TX
159 Cinta Aveda Institute San Francisco, CA
159 Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers-West Palm Beach West Palm Beach, FL
163 Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY
163 Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness Voorhees, NJ
163 Moler Barber College Oakland, CA
163 Vanguard College of Cosmetology-Metairie Metairie, LA
163 Empire Beauty School-Michigan Grand Rapids, MI
163 Keune Academy by 124 Lawrenceville, GA
169 Sunstate Academy Clearwater, FL
169 Paul Mitchell the School Reno Reno, NV
169 Crave Beauty Academy Wichita, KS
169 Paul Mitchell the School Fresno Fresno, CA
169 International Institute of Cosmetology Wethersfield, CT
169 Genesis Career College-Cookeville Cookeville, TN
175 Gene Juarez Academy-Federal Way Federal Way, WA
175 Sunstate Academy Fort Myers, FL
177 Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL
177 Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC
177 Paul Mitchell the School Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
177 Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology Boise, ID
177 Boca Beauty Academy - Parkland Parkland, FL
177 Fosbre Academy of Hair Design Olympia, WA
177 Paul Mitchell the School Denver Lakewood, CO
177 Sheridan Technical College Hollywood, FL
185 Rudae’s School of Beauty Culture-Ft Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
185 Modern Hairstyling Institute-Arecibo Arecibo, PR
185 Industrial Technical College Humacao, PR
185 Paul Mitchell the School Springfield Springfield, MO
185 Summit Salon Academy - Tampa Tampa, FL
185 LaBarberia Institute of Hair Mayfield Hts, OH
191 International Salon and Spa Academy Colorado Springs, CO
191 Empire Beauty School-Morrow Morrow, GA
191 Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica Los Angeles, CA
191 Grace International Beauty School Flushing, NY
191 Intellitec College - Grand Junction Grand Junction, CO
191 Paul Mitchell the School Modesto Modesto, CA
191 Academy of Hair Design - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
198 Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-Perth Amboy Boynton Beach, FL
198 Aveda Institute - Portland Portland, OR
198 The Salon Professional Academy - Melbourne Melbourne, FL
198 Blue Cliff College - Metairie Metairie, LA
202 First Coast Barber Academy Jacksonville, FL
202 Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
204 Urban Barber College Concord, CA
204 Paul Mitchell the School Greenville Greenville, SC
204 Aveda Institute Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
207 Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York West New York, NJ
207 Summit Salon Academy - Tacoma Tacoma, WA
207 Bene’s Career Academy New Port Richey, FL
207 Denmark College Merrillville, IN
211 Vanguard College of Cosmetology-Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA
211 Davis Technical College Kaysville, UT
211 Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids Kentwood, MI
214 Paul Mitchell the School Lombard Lombard, IL
214 Paul Mitchell the School Birmingham Hoover, AL
214 Stewart School Sioux Falls, SD
214 Lu Ross Academy Ventura, CA
214 Gene Juarez Academy-Mountlake Terrace Mountlake Terrace, WA
214 Paul Mitchell the School Farmington Hills Farmington Hills, MI
220 Glitz School of Cosmetology Las Cruces, NM
220 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Highland Highland, IN
220 PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green Bowling Green, KY
220 Aveda Institute - Tucson Tucson, AZ
220 Advance Beauty College Garden Grove, CA
220 The Institute of Beauty and Wellness Milwaukee, WI
226 Aveda Institute - Columbus Columbus, OH
226 Paul Mitchell the School Fort Myers Fort Myers, FL
226 Odessa College Odessa, TX
226 Paul Mitchell the School Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
226 Clarendon College Clarendon, TX
226 Ricci’s Academy of Cosmetology Newtown, CT
226 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA
226 Empire Beauty School-Maine Portland, ME
226 Paul Mitchell the School Knoxville Knoxville, TN
226 Summit Salon Academy Kansas City Independence, MO

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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 Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools award.

Rank College Location
236 Empire Beauty School-Union Union, NJ
236 Vogue College of Cosmetology-McAllen McAllen, TX
236 PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Clarksville Clarksville, IN
236 Paul Mitchell the School St Louis St. Louis, MO
236 American Institute of Beauty Largo, FL
236 The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville Evansville, IN
236 Artistic Academy of Hair Design Morris Plains, NJ
236 Paul Mitchell the School Jessup Jessup, MD
236 Rob Roy Academy-Worcester Worcester, MA
236 Southern Careers Institute - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
246 Empire Beauty School-Stone Park Stone Park, IL
246 Hair Academy II Hillcrest Heights, MD
246 Tenaj Salon Institute The Villages, FL
246 Paul Mitchell the School Normal Normal, IL
246 School Removed
251 Avalon School of Cosmetology - Mesa Mesa, AZ
251 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis Memphis, TN
251 Avenue Five Institute Austin, TX
251 David Pressley School of Cosmetology Royal Oak, MI
251 The Barber School Midvale, UT
251 Aveda Institute - Des Moines West Des Moines, IA
251 Paul Mitchell the School Schenectady Schenectady, NY
251 Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN
251 Milan Institute-Clovis Clovis, CA
260 City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College Chicago, IL
260 Aveda Institute - New York New York, NY
260 West Georgia Technical College Waco, GA
260 Phagans School of Hair Design Happy Valley, OR
264 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview Bridgeview, IL
264 Paul Mitchell the School Logan Logan, UT
264 Paul Mitchell the School Missouri Columbia Columbia, MO
264 Pickens Technical College Aurora, CO
264 Xenon International Academy-Omaha Omaha, NE
264 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-North Augusta North Augusta, SC
270 Aveda Institute - Provo Provo, UT
270 Orange Technical College - Westside Campus Winter Garden, FL
270 Cameo College of Essential Beauty Murray, UT
270 Paul Mitchell the School Toledo Sylvania, OH
270 Delta Technical College Horn Lake, MS
275 Paul Mitchell the School Spokane Spokane Valley, WA
275 MyrAngel Beauty Institute San Lorenzo, PR
275 Advanced Barber College and Hair Design Weslaco, TX
275 Northern Institute of Cosmetology Lorain, OH
275 Ranger College Ranger, TX
275 Bridgerland Technical College Logan, UT
275 UCAS University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences-Harlingen Harlingen, TX
275 American Beauty School Bronx, NY
283 Paul Mitchell the School Huntsville Madison, AL
283 Empire Beauty School-Boston Boston, MA
283 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW Chicago, IL
283 Associated Barber College of San Diego San Diego, CA
283 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
283 Paul Mitchell the School Honolulu Honolulu, HI
283 Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Lafayette Lafayette, LA
290 Kilgore College Kilgore, TX
290 G Skin & Beauty Institute Schaumburg, IL
290 Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design Spokane, WA
290 Joseph’s College Cosmetology Lincoln, NE
290 International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy Sandy Springs, GA
290 Boise Barber College Boise, ID
290 Northwest College School of Beauty - Eugene Springfield, OR
290 Model College of Hair Design Saint Cloud, MN
290 L Makeup Institute Las Vegas, NV
290 Milan Institute-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
300 Empire Beauty School-Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY
300 Rogers Academy of Hair Design Evansville, IN
300 Hacienda La Puente Adult Education La Puente, CA
300 Empire Beauty School-Lakeland Lakeland, FL
300 Empire Beauty School-Reading Reading, PA
300 Paul Mitchell the School Bradley Tinley Park, IL
300 Career Academy of Hair Design Springdale, AR
300 University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield, IL
300 Grabber School of Hair Design St. Louis, MO
300 Deluxe Barber College San Antonio, TX

Cosmetology by Region

View the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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 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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