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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California

131 Colleges
$17,041 Avg Salary
$8,995 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

In 2021-2022, cosmetology students earned 10,294 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

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 in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 131 schools in California to see which undergraduate certificate programs were the most popular 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.

Check out the cosmetology undergraduate certificate programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

Our analysis found Bellus Academy - Poway to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in California. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Poway.

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

Cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy take out an average of $9,559 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 $99.

Full Cosmetology at Bellus Academy - Poway Report

The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Temecula helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in California. 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.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Temecula accumulate an average of around $13,174 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $137, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Temecula

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa.

Of the 142 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa, 26% are male and 74% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,815.

Read More…

#4

MTI College

Sacramento, CA

Out of the 131 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, MTI College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, MTI College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 168 students majoring in cosmetology at MTI College, 21% are male and 79% are female.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from MTI College carry an average student debt load of $10,024. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $99.

Read More…

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Sherman Oaks, Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

About 78% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 22% are male.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks take out an average of $12,275 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $122, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks

Bellus Academy - National City ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Bellus Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Of the 131 students majoring in cosmetology at Bellus Academy, 23% are male and 77% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy take out an average of $14,053 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $61, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Bellus Academy - El Cajon ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of El Cajon.

Of the 100 students majoring in cosmetology at Bellus Academy, 1% are male and 99% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy take out an average of $8,499 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 $93.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

About 80% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 20% are male.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $9,180. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $75.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School San Diego came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Paul Mitchell the School San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.

Of the 112 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School San Diego, 17% are male and 83% are female.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School San Diego carry an average student debt load of $7,815.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School San Diego Report

International School of Beauty Inc came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the small city of Palm Desert, International School of Beauty is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 76% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from International School of Beauty carry an average student debt load of $7,551.

Read More…

#11

Federico Beauty Institute

Sacramento, CA

With a ranking of #11, Federico Beauty Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Federico Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 78% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Federico Beauty Institute take out $7,382 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 $75.

Read More…

#12

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

With a ranking of #12, Fullerton College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

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

Read More…

#13

Cinta Aveda Institute

San Francisco, CA

Cinta Aveda Institute ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 80% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Cinta Aveda Institute take out $8,775 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Cinta Aveda Institute Report

#14

Moler Barber College

Oakland, CA

With a ranking of #14, Moler Barber College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Moler Barber College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.

About 38% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 62% are male.

Full Cosmetology at Moler Barber College Report

Paul Mitchell the School Fresno landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Fresno is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Fresno.

Of the 116 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Fresno, 27% are male and 73% are female.

Read More…

Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Women make up 82% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica carry an average student debt load of $12,669. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $89, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

Paul Mitchell the School Modesto landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Modesto, Paul Mitchell the School Modesto is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 93 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Modesto, 15% are male and 85% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Modesto take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,849. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $81.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Modesto

#18

Urban Barber College

Concord, CA

Urban Barber College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Concord, Urban Barber College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

About 12% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 88% are male.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Urban Barber College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,417.

Read More…

#19

Lu Ross Academy

Ventura, CA

Lu Ross Academy 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 #19 on the list. Lu Ross Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Ventura.

Of the 62 students majoring in cosmetology at Lu Ross Academy, 39% are male and 61% are female.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Lu Ross Academy take out $7,318 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Lu Ross Academy

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 in California award.

Rank College Location
20 Advance Beauty College Garden Grove, CA
21 Milan Institute-Clovis Clovis, CA
22 Associated Barber College of San Diego San Diego, CA
23 Milan Institute-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
24 Hacienda La Puente Adult Education La Puente, CA
25 Paul Mitchell the School East Bay Pleasant Hill, CA
25 Salon Success Academy - Riverside Riverside, CA

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 2,041
Oregon 1,020
Nevada 1,575
Hawaii 183

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 26 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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