2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California
Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 88 schools in California to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California
The following schools top our list of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Colleges.
Top 15% Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools
Our 2023 rankings named San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc the best school in California for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from SFIEC carry an average student debtload of $12,708. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $95.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Danville.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from J D Academy of Salon and Spa carry an average student debtload of $10,057. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $70.
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Out of the 88 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the 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 $9,247 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 $115.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Hilltop Beauty School. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Daly City, Hilltop Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Hilltop Beauty School take out an average of $7,219 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,975. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $72.
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Cinta Aveda Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Cinta Aveda Institute carry an average student debtload of $13,781. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $102.
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Hoss Lee Academy landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Roseville, Hoss Lee Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
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Academy for Salon Professionals did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the 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 $10,665 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose ranked #9 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. TSPA - San Jose is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - San Jose accumulate an average of around $11,502 in student debt.
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Aveda Institute - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Aveda Institute - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Los Angeles carry an average student debtload of $13,078. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $130.
Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Los Angeles Report
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International College of Cosmetology landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. International College of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Oakland.
On average, cosmetology graduates from International College of Cosmetology take out $8,737 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.
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Paul Mitchell the School East Bay landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School East Bay is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School East Bay accumulate an average of around $16,744 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $139, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School East Bay Report
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Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica accumulate an average of around $14,580 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $53, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica Report
Request InformationAdditional 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy | Santa Fe Springs, CA |
| 15 | Bellus Academy - Poway | Poway, CA |
| 16 | Citrus Heights Beauty College | Citrus Heights, CA |
| 17 | Lu Ross Academy | Ventura, 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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