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Best Cosmetology Schools in California

2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in California

89 Colleges
$16,619 Avg Salary
$9,173 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You

Cosmetology is the #190 most popular major in California with 196 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Cosmetology Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 89 schools in California to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in California

Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 15% Best Cosmetology Schools

Our 2023 rankings named San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc the best school in California for cosmetology students. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at SFIEC accumulate an average of around $10,556 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $95.

Full Cosmetology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc Report

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The excellent programs at J D Academy of Salon and Spa helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Danville.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at J D Academy of Salon and Spa accumulate an average of around $6,211 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $70.

Full Cosmetology at J D Academy of Salon and Spa Report

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The excellent programs at Academy for Salon Professionals helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. Academy for Salon Professionals is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Northridge.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Academy for Salon Professionals take out $8,913 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Cosmetology at Academy for Salon Professionals Report

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means International College of Cosmetology is a great place for cosmetology students. International College of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at International College of Cosmetology take out is $6,517.

Full Cosmetology at International College of Cosmetology Report

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento take out $10,532 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $72.

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#6

Hoss Lee Academy

Roseville, CA

Hoss Lee Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Roseville, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Hoss Lee Academy take out an average of $6,333 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Cosmetology at Hoss Lee Academy Report

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Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Santa Rosa, Lytle's Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Lytle's Beauty College take out an average of $10,191 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $115.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc

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#8

Cinta Aveda Institute

San Francisco, CA

Cinta Aveda Institute ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in California list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Cinta Aveda Institute take out is $11,332. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $102.

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#9

Hilltop Beauty School

Daly City, CA

With a ranking of #9, Hilltop Beauty School did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Hilltop Beauty School Report

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The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. TSPA - San Jose is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose.

Cosmetology majors at TSPA - San Jose take out an average of $10,556 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#11

Aveda Institute - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

Aveda Institute - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #11 on the list. Aveda Institute - Los Angeles is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Los Angeles take out an average of $9,833 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $130.

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#12

Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy

Santa Fe Springs, CA

Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Fe Springs.

Cosmetology majors at Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy take out an average of $4,600 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Cosmetology at Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy Report

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#13

Cosmo Beauty Academy

Sacramento, CA

Cosmo Beauty Academy came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, CBA is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at CBA take out an average of $7,556 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students in the state of California that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
14 Blake Austin College Vacaville, CA
15 Paul Mitchell the School East Bay Pleasant Hill, CA
16 Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica Santa Monica, CA
17 Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena Pasadena, CA

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

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

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 152
Oregon 11
Hawaii 20

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

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 19,806
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.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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