2026 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Cosmetology undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1613 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Medspa Academies tops our 2026 ranking of the best Cosmetology undergraduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Set in South Jordan, UT, Medspa Academies is a private for-profit institution. Medspa Academies Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,394 in debt. More on Medspa Academies
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett came in at #3 on this year's Cosmetology ranking in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Everett, WA. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,164. See the full Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett profile
You'll be in good company at Hastings Beauty School, which ranked #4 this year. Hastings Beauty School is a private for-profit school based in Hastings, MN. Read the full report on Hastings Beauty School
Out of the 1613 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, The Hair Academy landed the #5 spot. Located in Bismarck, ND, The Hair Academy is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $11,809 in student loans. More on The Hair Academy
San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,556 in debt. Get the full San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics And Cosmetology Inc report
Obriens Aveda Institute ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Based in Williston, VT, Obriens Aveda Institute is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,832. Read more about Obriens Aveda Institute
Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics placed #8 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Woburn, MA. Graduates carry a median of $7,667 in student loans. Get the full Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics report
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, Gary Manuel Aveda Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $10,111. Read the full report on Gary Manuel Aveda Institute
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a private for-profit school based in Shoreline, WA. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,344 in debt. Get the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline report
Aveda Institute Denver came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Denver, CO, Aveda Institute Denver is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $12,000. See the full Aveda Institute Denver profile
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics placed #12 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Omaha, NE. Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,166 in debt. Read the full report on Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Fargo, ND, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $12,000. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Fargo
Arrojo Cosmetology School placed #14 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Arrojo Cosmetology School is a private for-profit school based in New York, NY. Graduates carry a median of $10,666 in student loans. See the full Arrojo Cosmetology School profile
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska is a private for-profit school based in Onalaska, WI. The median Cosmetology program debt is $12,000. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska
Nova Academy Of Cosmetology landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Rochester, MN, Nova Academy Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,999. Get the full Nova Academy Of Cosmetology report
W Academy Of Salon And Spa ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Danville, CA. Students borrow a median of $6,211 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read the full report on W Academy Of Salon And Spa
Acaydia School Of Aesthetics landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Provo, UT, Acaydia School Of Aesthetics is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $7,668 in student loans. More on Acaydia School Of Aesthetics
The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School did well this year, earning the #19 position. The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit school based in Annapolis, MD. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $12,583. Read the full report on The Temple Annapolis A Paul Mitchell Partner School
The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Set in Frederick, MD, The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,583 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full The Temple A Paul Mitchell Partner School profile
Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus did well this year, earning the #21 position. Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus is a private for-profit school based in WOODBURY, MN. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,194. Read the full report on Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. The median Cosmetology program debt is $10,555. See the full The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness profile
Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis placed #23 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Carmel, IN, Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Aveda Fredrics Institute Indianapolis
Paul Mitchell The School St Louis landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Paul Mitchell The School St Louis is a private for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Paul Mitchell The School St Louis Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,833 in debt. More on Paul Mitchell The School St Louis
Aveda Institute Madison ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Based in Madison, WI, Aveda Institute Madison is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,555 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Aveda Institute Madison
Image Maker Beauty Institute ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Set in Hendersonville, TN, Image Maker Beauty Institute is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,580 to complete their Cosmetology program here. See the full Image Maker Beauty Institute profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Stewart School came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Stewart School is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $8,863 in student loans. Read the full report on Stewart School
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Mitsu Sato Hair Academy is a private for-profit school based in Overland Park, KS. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,500. Get the full Mitsu Sato Hair Academy report
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Worcester, MA, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,667 in student loans. Read the full report on Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Worcester
Aveda Institute Des Moines placed #30 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in West Des Moines, IA. Aveda Institute Des Moines Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Get the full Aveda Institute Des Moines report
International Institute Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #31 position. International Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school based in Wethersfield, CT. Graduates carry a median of $10,946 in student loans. More on International Institute Of Cosmetology
The Salon Professional Academy Appleton did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Appleton, WI, The Salon Professional Academy Appleton is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $11,679. More on The Salon Professional Academy Appleton
Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati is a private for-profit school based in West Chester, OH. Graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Read the full report on Aveda Fredrics Institute Cincinnati
New England Hair Academy did well this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Malden, MA, New England Hair Academy is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $8,083. More on New England Hair Academy
Aveda Institute Minneapolis placed #35 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a private for-profit institution. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,941. Read more about Aveda Institute Minneapolis
Paul Mitchell The School Austin came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Austin, TX. Paul Mitchell The School Austin Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,414 in debt. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Austin report
Advanced College Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Waupun, WI, Advanced College Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. The median Cosmetology program debt is $11,420. More on Advanced College Of Cosmetology
Paul Mitchell The School Indianapolis came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Paul Mitchell The School Indianapolis is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Indianapolis
University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology is a private for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Students borrow a median of $11,667 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc placed #40 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,051. Read more about Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc
New York Institute Of Beauty placed #41 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Islandia, NY, New York Institute Of Beauty is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $6,062 in student loans. Read more about New York Institute Of Beauty
Paul Mitchell The School Raleigh placed #42 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, Paul Mitchell The School Raleigh is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $15,333 in student loans. More on Paul Mitchell The School Raleigh
Aveda Institute Chicago came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Aveda Institute Chicago is a private for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,833. More on Aveda Institute Chicago
Summit Salon Academy Tacoma placed #44 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Summit Salon Academy Tacoma is a private for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. Graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. More on Summit Salon Academy Tacoma
Paul Mitchell The School Columbus came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Columbus, OH, Paul Mitchell The School Columbus is a private for-profit institution. Paul Mitchell The School Columbus Cosmetology students take on a median of $13,833 in debt. More on Paul Mitchell The School Columbus
Xenon International Academy Omaha placed #46 among Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Omaha, NE, Xenon International Academy Omaha is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Xenon International Academy Omaha
Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Overland Park, KS, Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,341 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park
E Q School Of Hair Design landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Council Bluffs, IA, E Q School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,294 in student loans. Get the full E Q School Of Hair Design report
Pci Academy Plymouth ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Plymouth, MN. Students borrow a median of $10,570 to complete their Cosmetology program here. More on Pci Academy Plymouth
Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Irving did well this year, earning the #52 position. Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Irving is a private for-profit school based in Irving, TX. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,698. More on Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Irving
Aveda Institute Portland ranked #53 on our 2026 list of the best Cosmetology schools. Aveda Institute Portland is a private for-profit school based in Portland, OR. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,556. More on Aveda Institute Portland
Related Cosmetology Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Cosmetology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Cosmetology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1613 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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