2026 Best Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Cosmetology certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1613 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology to be the best Cosmetology school in the United States. University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The median Cosmetology program debt is $11,667. Read the full report on University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc came in at #2 on this year's Cosmetology ranking in the United States. San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc is a private for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,556 in debt. Read the full report on San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc
A rank of #3 makes Gary Manuel Aveda Institute one of the top choices in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Gary Manuel Aveda Institute Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,111 in debt. See the full Gary Manuel Aveda Institute profile
The strong Cosmetology programs at New York Institute Of Beauty earned it the #4 place in the United States. New York Institute Of Beauty is a private for-profit school based in Islandia, NY. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,062. Read more about New York Institute Of Beauty
Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training came in at #5 on this year's Cosmetology ranking in the United States. Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training is a private for-profit school based in New York, NY. Graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Read the full report on Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training
Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Ashland, VA. Students borrow a median of $6,944 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full Institute Of Advanced Medical Esthetics profile
W Academy Of Salon And Spa placed #7 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Danville, CA, W Academy Of Salon And Spa is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,211 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read the full report on W Academy Of Salon And Spa
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Everett, WA. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,164. Read the full report on Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,555. Read more about The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness
Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy placed #10 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Reston, VA, Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $8,517 in student loans. Read the full report on Dermal Science International Aesthetics And Nail Academy
Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics placed #11 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Woburn, MA, Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,667 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics
Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Northridge, CA, Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge is a private for-profit institution. Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. See the full Academy For Salon Professionals Northridge profile
Obriens Aveda Institute did well this year, earning the #14 position. Obriens Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school based in Williston, VT. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,832. See the full Obriens Aveda Institute profile
Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. Read more about Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Fargo, ND. The median Cosmetology program debt is $12,000. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Fargo
New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private for-profit school is set in white plains, NY. The median Cosmetology program debt is $6,625. Read the full report on New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa
Aesthetic Science Institute placed #19 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Latham, NY, Aesthetic Science Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $6,333. See the full Aesthetic Science Institute profile
Avenue Five Institute placed #20 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Austin, TX. Graduates carry a median of $7,917 in student loans. Read the full report on Avenue Five Institute
Universal Spa Training Academy placed #21 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Downers Grove, IL, Universal Spa Training Academy is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,917. Read the full report on Universal Spa Training Academy
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Omaha, NE. Graduates carry a median of $9,166 in student loans. Get the full Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics report
Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Austin, TX, Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,917. More on Avenue Five Institute South Austin Campus
Spa Tech Institute Westboro did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Westborough, MA, Spa Tech Institute Westboro is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,117. Get the full Spa Tech Institute Westboro report
Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Carmel, IN, Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,833. See the full Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis profile
Medspa Academies landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in South Jordan, UT, Medspa Academies is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $12,394. Read the full report on Medspa Academies
Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus placed #27 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in WOODBURY, MN. Graduates carry a median of $10,194 in student loans. More on Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Aveda Institute Madison ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Located in Madison, WI, Aveda Institute Madison is a private for-profit institution. Aveda Institute Madison Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,555 in debt. Get the full Aveda Institute Madison report
The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Downers Grove, IL, The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,917. Read the full report on The University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
International College Of Cosmetology came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Oakland, CA, International College Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $8,664. See the full International College Of Cosmetology profile
Spa Tech Institute Plymouth placed #31 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Plymouth, MA, Spa Tech Institute Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,117. Read the full report on Spa Tech Institute Plymouth
Pci Academy Plymouth came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Plymouth, MN, Pci Academy Plymouth is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,570 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full Pci Academy Plymouth profile
Studio Academy Of Beauty came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Chandler, AZ, Studio Academy Of Beauty is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,333. See the full Studio Academy Of Beauty profile
Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Based in Sacramento, CA, Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,526 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento report
Aveda Institute Denver placed #35 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Aveda Institute Denver is a private for-profit school based in Denver, CO. Aveda Institute Denver Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read more about Aveda Institute Denver
Spa Tech Institute Westbrook ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Westbrook, ME. Students borrow a median of $7,117 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Spa Tech Institute Westbrook
Penrose Academy landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,043 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Penrose Academy
Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school based in Schaumburg, IL. The median Cosmetology program debt is $7,917. Read the full report on Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology
Aveda Institute Minneapolis came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,941. More on Aveda Institute Minneapolis
Aveda Institute Des Moines landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Aveda Institute Des Moines is a private for-profit school based in West Des Moines, IA. The median Cosmetology program debt is $12,000. More on Aveda Institute Des Moines
International Academy Of Style ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. International Academy Of Style is a private for-profit school based in Reno, NV. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,391. Read more about International Academy Of Style
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a private for-profit school based in Shoreline, WA. Graduates carry a median of $12,344 in student loans. Read the full report on Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline
Casal Institute Of Nevada did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Las Vegas, NV, Casal Institute Of Nevada is a private for-profit institution. Casal Institute Of Nevada Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. See the full Casal Institute Of Nevada profile
Avi Career Training landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Great Falls, VA, Avi Career Training is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $6,333. Get the full Avi Career Training report
Hoss Lee Academy ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Set in Roseville, CA, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit institution. Hoss Lee Academy Cosmetology students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. Get the full Hoss Lee Academy report
Aveda Institute New York came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Aveda Institute New York is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full Aveda Institute New York report
Aveda Institute Chicago placed #47 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Aveda Institute Chicago is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Aveda Institute Chicago
Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in West Chester, OH, Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati is a private for-profit institution. Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,833 in debt. More on Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati
Pci Academy Ames did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Ames, IA, Pci Academy Ames is a private for-profit institution. Pci Academy Ames Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,570 in debt. Read the full report on Pci Academy Ames
Xenon International Academy Omaha placed #52 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Omaha, NE, Xenon International Academy Omaha is a private for-profit institution. Xenon International Academy Omaha Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. More on Xenon International Academy Omaha
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus ranked #53 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Vancouver, WA. The median Cosmetology program debt is $10,556. More on Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus
Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute did well this year, earning the #54 position. Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute is a private for-profit school based in Bethpage, NY. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $6,333. Read more about Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute
Related Cosmetology Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Cosmetology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1613 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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