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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California

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 2023 rankings named Bellus Academy - Poway the most popular school in California for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Bellus Academy - Poway

Out of the 131 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Temecula landed the # 2 spot on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Temecula is a 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.

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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 fairly 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.

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#4

MTI College

Sacramento, CA

The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at MTI College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in California. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, MTI College is a private for-profit school with a 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.

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The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in California. Located in the large city of Sherman Oaks, Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks is a private for-profit school with a 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.

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Bellus Academy - National City came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Chula Vista, Bellus Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Bellus Academy - National City

With a ranking of #7, Bellus Academy - El Cajon did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large 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 full report on Cosmetology at Bellus Academy - El Cajon

Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a 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 full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento

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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School San Diego

International School of Beauty Inc 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 #10 on the list. Located in the city of Palm Desert, International School of Beauty is a private for-profit college with a 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 full report on Cosmetology at International School of Beauty Inc

#11

Federico Beauty Institute

Sacramento, CA

Federico Beauty 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 #11 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Federico Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a 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 full report on Cosmetology at Federico Beauty Institute

#12

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College 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 #12 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a public school with a large student population.

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

Full Cosmetology at Fullerton College Report

#13

Cinta Aveda Institute

San Francisco, CA

With a ranking of #13, Cinta Aveda Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. 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.

Read More…

#14

Moler Barber College

Oakland, CA

Moler Barber College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking. 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.

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Paul Mitchell the School Fresno ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Paul Mitchell the School Fresno is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno.

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

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With a ranking of #16, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit college with a fairly 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.

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Paul Mitchell the School Modesto ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the medium-sized city of Modesto, Paul Mitchell the School Modesto is a private for-profit school with a 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 More…

#18

Urban Barber College

Concord, CA

Urban Barber College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Concord, Urban Barber College is a private for-profit school with a 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 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 More…

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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