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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region

98 Colleges
$17,014 Avg Salary
$10,880 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

In 2020-2021, 107,895 degrees and certificates were awarded to cosmetology students, making the major the most popular in the country.

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.

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 the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 98 schools in the Plains States Region 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.

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

Our 2023 rankings named Academy of Hair Design - Springfield the most popular school in the Plains States Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Academy of Hair Design - Springfield is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Springfield.

Women make up 53% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Academy of Hair Design - Springfield take out $14,268 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at Academy of Hair Design - Springfield Report

#2

Eric Fisher Academy

Wichita, KS

The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Eric Fisher Academy helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the large city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 135 students majoring in cosmetology at Eric Fisher Academy, 3% are male and 97% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Eric Fisher Academy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,938. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $78.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Eric Fisher Academy

#3

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Aveda Institute - Minneapolis is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Aveda Institute - Minneapolis is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Minneapolis.

Of the 120 students majoring in cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Minneapolis, 3% are male and 98% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Minneapolis take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,517. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $102, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means The Salon Professional Academy - St Charles is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of St. Charles, TSPA - St Charles is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 96 students majoring in cosmetology at TSPA - St Charles, 1% are male and 99% are female.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - St Charles accumulate an average of around $11,106 in student debt.

Read More…

#4

Z Hair Academy

Overland Park, KS

Out of the 98 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Z Hair Academy landed the # 4 spot on the list. Z Hair Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Overland Park.

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

When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $78.

Read More…

#6

Bellus Academy

Manhattan, KS

Bellus Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Manhattan.

Of the 92 students majoring in cosmetology at Bellus Academy, 3% are male and 97% are female.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Bellus Academy take out $12,844 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $86, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Bellus Academy

Paul Mitchell the School Wichita ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large city of Wichita, Paul Mitchell the School Wichita is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 87 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Wichita, 30% are male and 70% are female.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Wichita carry an average student debt load of $13,821.

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Nova Academy of Cosmetology came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Rochester, Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Of the 80 students majoring in cosmetology at Nova Academy of Cosmetology, 4% are male and 96% are female.

Cosmetology majors at Nova Academy of Cosmetology take out an average of $13,266 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $88, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Nova Academy of Cosmetology

With a ranking of #9, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large city of Omaha, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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 Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics carry an average student debt load of $10,334. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $72.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics

Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park 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. Located in the midsize city of Overland Park, Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Of the 78 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park, 4% are male and 96% are female.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $98.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park Report

#11

Crave Beauty Academy

Wichita, KS

Crave Beauty Academy landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Crave Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Wichita.

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

On average, cosmetology graduates from Crave Beauty Academy take out $14,447 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Crave Beauty Academy

Paul Mitchell the School Springfield 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 medium-sized city of Springfield, Paul Mitchell the School Springfield is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 71% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Springfield take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $13,367. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $78.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Springfield Report

#13

Stewart School

Sioux Falls, SD

With a ranking of #13, Stewart School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Stewart School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Stewart School accumulate an average of around $13,327 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $58, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#14

Summit Salon Academy Kansas City

Independence, MO

Summit Salon Academy Kansas City came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Summit Salon Academy KC is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Independence.

About 98% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 2% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Summit Salon Academy KC carry an average student debt load of $15,304.

Full Cosmetology at Summit Salon Academy Kansas City Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Cosmetology students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
15 Paul Mitchell the School St Louis St. Louis, MO
16 Aveda Institute - Des Moines West Des Moines, IA
17 Xenon International Academy-Omaha Omaha, NE
17 Paul Mitchell the School Missouri Columbia Columbia, MO
19 Model College of Hair Design Saint Cloud, MN
19 Joseph’s College Cosmetology Lincoln, NE

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,184
Missouri 1,382
Minnesota 1,054
South Dakota 209
Iowa 685
North Dakota 203
Nebraska 441

Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of trade school programs to choose from.

Cosmetology Concentrations

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

Majors Similar to Cosmetology

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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