2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools
Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You
In 2020-2021, 107,895 people earned a degree or certificate in cosmetology, making the major the #229 most popular in the United States.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. This report analyzed 960 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the United States
The colleges and universities below are the best for cosmetology majors pursuing a undergraduate certificate.
Top 25 Top Schools for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Cosmetology
Our analysis found Medspa Academies to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the United States. National Institute of Medical Aesthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of South Jordan.
On average, cosmetology graduates from National Institute of Medical Aesthetics take out $12,750 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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Out of the 960 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Paroba College of Cosmetology landed the # 2 spot on the list. Paroba College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Everett.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paroba College of Cosmetology take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,021.
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Out of the 960 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Everett, Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett accumulate an average of around $11,368 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $74.
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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Hastings Beauty School helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings Beauty School is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Hastings Beauty School accumulate an average of around $15,185 in student debt.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The Hair Academy. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the city of Bismarck, The Hair Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from The Hair Academy carry an average student debtload of $16,322.
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San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. SFIEC is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at SFIEC take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,708. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $95.
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O’Briens Aveda Institute ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Williston, O'Briens Aveda Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from O'Briens Aveda Institute take out $11,770 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Woburn.
Cosmetology majors at Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics take out an average of $10,675 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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Gary Manuel Aveda Institute landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. GMAI is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Seattle.
Cosmetology majors at GMAI take out an average of $12,978 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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With a ranking of #11, Aveda Institute - Denver did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Denver, Aveda Institute - Denver is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Denver take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $15,359. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $80.
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Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Omaha.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics take out $10,334 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $72, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Fargo, TSPA - Fargo is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at TSPA - Fargo take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $16,775.
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Arrojo Cosmetology School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #14 on the list. NA Enterprises LLC d is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from NA Enterprises LLC d carry an average student debtload of $12,623. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $112, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #15, The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the small city of Onalaska, TSPA - Onalaska is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - Onalaska accumulate an average of around $13,419 in student debt.
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With a ranking of #16, Nova Academy of Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rochester.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Nova Academy of Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $13,266. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $88.
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J D Academy of Salon and Spa did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Danville, J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at J D Academy of Salon and Spa take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $10,057. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $70, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Acaydia School of Aesthetics landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Acaydia School of Aesthetics is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Provo.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Acaydia School of Aesthetics carry an average student debtload of $10,191.
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With a ranking of #19, The Temple Annapolis - A Paul Mitchell Partner School did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. The TEMPLE Annapolis is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Annapolis.
For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $102.
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The Temple - A Paul Mitchell Partner School landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the small city of Frederick, The TEMPLE Frederick is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $102.
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Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in the large suburb of WOODBURY, Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus take out an average of $14,828 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $86.
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The Institute of Beauty and Wellness came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the city of Milwaukee, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $14,937. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $75, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #23, Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis carry an average student debtload of $13,632. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $111, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #24, Paul Mitchell the School St Louis did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of St. Louis, Paul Mitchell the School St Louis is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $116.
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Aveda Institute - Madison came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Located in the city of Madison, Aveda Institute - Madison is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Madison take out $14,937 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $75, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Additional Award Winners
This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 960 different United States cosmetology schools we analyzed.
Honorable Mentions
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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools award.
Cosmetology by Region
View the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Cosmetology Rankings
Rankings in Majors Related to Cosmetology
One of 4 majors within the area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Cosmetology
| 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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