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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the most popular major in the United States with 14,178 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022.

Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

The Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 145 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region 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.

#1

Bella Capelli Academy

Monroeville, PA

Our 2023 rankings named Bella Capelli Academy the most popular school in the Middle Atlantic Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Monroeville, Bella Capelli Academy a Paul Mitchell partner school is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $114, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#2

Parisian Beauty School

Hackensack, NJ

Out of the 145 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Parisian Beauty School landed the # 2 spot on the list. Parisian Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackensack.

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

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Parisian Beauty Academy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,436. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $85, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Parisian Beauty School

The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Empire Beauty School-Manhattan helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . Empire Beauty School-Manhattan is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

Women make up 92% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Manhattan take out $10,456 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $42, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Manhattan

#4

Jean Madeline Aveda Institute

Philadelphia, PA

The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Jean Madeline Aveda Institute helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.

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

On average, cosmetology graduates from Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology take out $10,495 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $136, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Long Island Beauty School-Hauppauge. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Long Island Beauty School-Hauppauge is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hauppauge.

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

On average, cosmetology graduates from Long Island Beauty School-Hauppauge take out $6,633 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 $60.

Full Cosmetology at Long Island Beauty School-Hauppauge Report

Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the suburb of Nanuet, Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 123 students majoring in cosmetology at Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers, 7% are male and 93% are female.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers take out $6,425 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $75, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers

Arrojo Cosmetology School ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. NA Enterprises LLC d is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York.

Of the 61 students majoring in cosmetology at NA Enterprises LLC d, 16% are male and 84% are female.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from NA Enterprises LLC d carry an average student debt load of $7,959. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $124, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Arrojo Cosmetology School

#8

Total Image Beauty Academy

Union City, NJ

Total Image Beauty Academy landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Union City, Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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

Full Cosmetology at Total Image Beauty Academy Report

#9

Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton

New Carrollton, MD

Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton 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 #9 on the list. Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of New Carrollton.

Of the 85 students majoring in cosmetology at Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton, 42% are male and 58% are female.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton accumulate an average of around $10,781 in student debt.

Read More…

The Beauty Institute-Ambler landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Ambler, The Beauty Institute 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 The Beauty Institute carry an average student debt load of $9,868. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $84.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Beauty Institute-Ambler

With a ranking of #11, Continental School of Beauty Culture, Mattydale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Mattydale, Continental School of Beauty Culture, Mattydale is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Continental School of Beauty Culture, Mattydale take out $7,385 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $70, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Continental School of Beauty Culture, Mattydale

Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Moosic, Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley take out $11,517 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 $80.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley

#13

Metro Beauty Academy

Allentown, PA

With a ranking of #13, Metro Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Metro Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Allentown.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Metro Beauty Academy accumulate an average of around $10,408 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $78.

Read More…

With a ranking of #14, Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of Harrisburg, Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 52 students majoring in cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg, 2% are male and 98% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,307. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.

Read More…

With a ranking of #15, Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $7,385. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $70, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Continental School of Beauty Culture, Rochester

Empire Beauty School-Queens 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 #16 on the list. Empire Beauty School-Queens is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Astoria.

Of the 75 students majoring in cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Queens, 3% are male and 97% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Queens take out an average of $11,800 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $72, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Queens Report

With a ranking of #16, The Temple Annapolis - A Paul Mitchell Partner School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. The TEMPLE Annapolis is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Annapolis.

About 92% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 8% are male.

On average, cosmetology graduates from The TEMPLE Annapolis take out $12,400 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 $127.

Read More…

#18

Innovate Salon Academy

South Plainfield, NJ

Innovate Salon 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 #18 on the list. Located in the suburb of South Plainfield, Innovate Salon Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

About 72% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 28% are male.

Cosmetology majors at Innovate Salon Academy take out an average of $6,886 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Innovate Salon Academy

The Temple - A Paul Mitchell Partner School landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the small city of Frederick, The TEMPLE Frederick is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 92% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from The TEMPLE Frederick take out $12,400 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 $127.

Full Cosmetology at The Temple - A Paul Mitchell Partner School Report

Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.

Of the 71 students majoring in cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia, 7% are male and 93% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,307. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia Report

Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Voorhees.

Of the 99 students majoring in cosmetology at Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness, 2% are male and 98% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $6,182. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $107, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness Report

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 Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
22 Grace International Beauty School Flushing, NY
23 Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York West New York, NJ
24 Artistic Academy of Hair Design Morris Plains, NJ
24 Empire Beauty School-Union Union, NJ
24 Paul Mitchell the School Jessup Jessup, MD
27 Hair Academy II Hillcrest Heights, MD
28 Paul Mitchell the School Schenectady Schenectady, NY
29 Aveda Institute - New York New York, NY

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.

State Degrees Awarded
New York 5,055
Pennsylvania 3,378
New Jersey 2,419
Maryland 1,103
Delaware 343
District of Columbia 160

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 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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