2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest 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. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 140 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Avenue Five Institute the best school in the Southwest Region for cosmetology students. Avenue Five Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Austin.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Avenue Five Institute accumulate an average of around $8,348 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus is a great place for cosmetology students. Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Austin.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus take out $8,348 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.
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Out of the 140 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Penrose Academy landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Penrose Academy take out an average of $8,898 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $98, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Out of the 140 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Studio Academy of Beauty landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Chandler, Studio Academy of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Studio Academy of Beauty take out $7,943 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $43.
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Out of the 140 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Austin landed the # 5 spot on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Austin is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Austin.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Austin take out is $11,873. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $71, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Irving.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving take out $7,600 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $65, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Aveda Institute - Tucson came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large city of Tucson, Aveda Institute - Tucson is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Tucson take out is $10,555. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $80.
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Aveda Institute - Phoenix landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Tempe, Aveda Institute - Phoenix is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Phoenix carry an average student debtload of $10,555. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $80.
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Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Plano.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano carry an average student debtload of $14,520. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $114, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #10, Pure Aesthetics did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Pure Aesthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Tucson.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Pure Aesthetics take out $6,333 in student loans while working on their degree.
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The Salon Professional Academy - Lewisville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Lewisville, TSPA - Lewisville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at TSPA - Lewisville take out an average of $9,833 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Paul Mitchell the School Webster came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Webster is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Webster.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Webster take out $15,930 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 $94.
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DuVall’s School of Cosmetology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the suburb of Bedford, DuVall's School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from DuVall's School of Cosmetology take out $9,833 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the large city of Lubbock, Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock carry an average student debtload of $7,000.
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Empire Beauty School-Avondale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #15 on the list. Empire Beauty School-Avondale is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Avondale.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Avondale accumulate an average of around $14,194 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 $80.
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Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #16 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Tulsa.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa carry an average student debtload of $11,806.
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Paul Mitchell the School Arlington came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Arlington is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Arlington.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Arlington carry an average student debtload of $9,833. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $75, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Charles and Sues School of Hair Design ranked #18 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region list. Charles and Sues School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Bryan.
Cosmetology majors at Charles and Sues School of Hair Design take out an average of $9,833 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Cosmetology at Charles and Sues School of Hair Design Report
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Diamonds Cosmetology College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the small city of Sherman, Diamonds Cosmetology College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Diamonds Cosmetology College take out an average of $16,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Exposito School of Hair Design came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Amarillo, Exposito School of Hair Design is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Cosmetology at Exposito School of Hair Design Report
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Aveda Institute - San Antonio came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of San Antonio, Aveda Institute - San Antonio is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - San Antonio take out $9,832 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 $74.
Request InformationAdditional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students in the Southwest Region that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Baldwin Beauty School - South Austin | Austin, TX |
| 23 | Metro Technology Centers | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 24 | Total Transformation Institute of Cosmetology | San Marcos, TX |
| 25 | Paul Mitchell the School Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ |
| 26 | International Beauty College | Garland, TX |
| 27 | Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM |
| 28 | TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy | Scottsdale, AZ |
Best Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Southwest region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Texas | 159 |
| Arizona | 14 |
| New Mexico | 34 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in the Southwest 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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