2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
Cosmetology is the #229 most popular major in the country with 107,895 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
The Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 283 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region
Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools in Cosmetology
Our 2023 rankings named Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics the best school in the Southeast Region for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Henrico, Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics take out an average of $8,218 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Cosmetology at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics Report
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. DSI Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Reston.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at DSI Academy take out is $11,200.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Image Maker Beauty Institute. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Image Maker Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hendersonville.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Image Maker Beauty Institute take out $13,046 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Out of the 283 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Avi Career Training landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Great Falls, Avi Career Training is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Avi Career Training accumulate an average of around $9,020 in student debt.
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The excellent programs at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the large city of Raleigh, Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh accumulate an average of around $16,500 in student debt.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh Report
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The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, The Chrysm Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from The Chrysm Institute take out $7,332 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Gould’s Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the city of Memphis, Gould's Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Gould's Academy take out is $10,083.
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Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Chapel Hill.
Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill take out an average of $11,667 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $126, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Florida Academy landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Florida Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Fort Myers.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Florida Academy take out $6,333 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 $43.
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Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #10 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Jacksonville.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville take out an average of $13,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Gould’S-Academy came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. <nil> is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bartlett.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at <nil> take out is $10,083.
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Elevate Salon Institute - Durham came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Durham.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Elevate Salon Institute - Durham carry an average student debtload of $10,141.
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Summit Salon Academy - Tampa came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Tampa, Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Summit Salon Academy Tampa take out an average of $10,943 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $131.
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Elaine Sterling Institute ranked #14 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Sandy Springs, Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Elaine Sterling Institute take out $12,806 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Paul Mitchell the School Mclean ranked #15 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large suburb of McLean, Paul Mitchell the School Mclean is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Mclean take out is $13,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of Nashville, TSPA - Nashville is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Nashville take out $12,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
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The Beauty Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #17 on the list. The Beauty Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Palm Beach.
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Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Woodbridge, Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge carry an average student debtload of $13,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Cozmo Beauty School ranked #19 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large suburb of Bonita Springs, Cozmo Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Cozmo Beauty School Report
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Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Roanoke.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke take out is $14,458.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke Report
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With a ranking of #21, American Institute of Beauty did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Largo, American Institute of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from American Institute of Beauty carry an average student debtload of $9,500.
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Aveda Institute - Tallahassee ranked #22 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tallahassee.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Tallahassee take out $9,831 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $82.
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Paul Mitchell the School Esani came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Roswell, Paul Mitchell the School Esani is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Esani accumulate an average of around $12,265 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $88, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #24, Virginia School of Hair Design did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Virginia School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Hampton.
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Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh ranked #25 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Raleigh, Mitchell's Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Mitchell's Academy carry an average student debtload of $6,612.
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Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Paul Mitchell the School Columbia | Columbia, SC |
| 44 | Empire Beauty School-Pineville | Charlotte, NC |
| 45 | Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro | Greensboro, NC |
| 46 | Paul Mitchell the School Tampa | Tampa, FL |
| 47 | Empire Beauty School-E Memphis | Memphis, TN |
| 48 | Paul Mitchell the School Orlando | Oviedo, FL |
| 49 | Empire Beauty School-Gwinnett | Lawrenceville, GA |
| 50 | Empire Beauty School-Florence | Florence, KY |
| 51 | Paul Mitchell the School Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro, TN |
| 52 | Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville | Fayetteville, NC |
| 53 | Empire Beauty School-Lakeland | Lakeland, FL |
| 54 | The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville | Huntsville, AL |
| 55 | Tenaj Salon Institute | The Villages, FL |
| 56 | Designer Barber & Stylist School | Ft Smith, AR |
| 56 | Paul Mitchell the School Greenville | Greenville, SC |
Best Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 193 |
| South Carolina | 0 |
| Arkansas | 1 |
| Alabama | 110 |
| Mississippi | 26 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in the Southeast Region
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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