2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in California
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.
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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 analysis found San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in California. Located in the 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.
Read full report on Cosmetology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc
Out of the 89 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, J D Academy of Salon and Spa landed the # 2 spot on the list. 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Academy for Salon Professionals. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in California list. Academy for Salon Professionals is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Northridge.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Academy for Salon Professionals take out $8,913 in student loans while working on their degree.
The excellent programs at International College of Cosmetology helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. 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
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a great place for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit college with a fairly 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.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento Report
Hoss Lee Academy came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. 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.
With a ranking of #7, Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Santa Rosa, Lytle's Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a 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.
Cinta Aveda Institute landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a 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.
Hilltop Beauty School landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. TSPA - San Jose is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large 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.
Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose Report
Aveda Institute - Los Angeles landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Aveda Institute - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large 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.
With a ranking of #12, Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large 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.
With a ranking of #13, Cosmo Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, CBA is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at CBA take out an average of $7,556 in student loans while working on their egree.
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 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in California
Cosmetology Related Rankings by Major
Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of programs to choose from.
Most Popular Related Majors
| 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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