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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

150 Colleges
$17,014 Avg Salary
$10,880 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, cosmetology was ranked #229 in the country. In fact 107,895 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 150 schools in the Great Lakes Region 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 the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Colleges.

Top 15% Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools

Our 2023 rankings named The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska the best school in the Great Lakes Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Onalaska, TSPA - Onalaska is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Onalaska carry an average student debtload of $13,419.

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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Milwaukee, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from The Institute of Beauty and Wellness take out $14,937 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $75, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Fredric's Institute - Indianapolis take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $13,632. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $111, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Aveda Institute - Madison is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large city of Madison, Aveda Institute - Madison is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Madison take out an average of $14,937 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $75, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the midsize suburb of Appleton, TSPA - Appleton is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Appleton carry an average student debtload of $11,373.

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Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of West Chester, Aveda Fredric's Institute - Cincinnati is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Fredric's Institute - Cincinnati carry an average student debtload of $12,200. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $117.

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Advanced College of Cosmetology ranked #7 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the town of Waupun, Advanced College of Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Advanced College of Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $13,505.

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Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis 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. Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis accumulate an average of around $12,871 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $101.

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University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $14,897.

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Aveda Institute - Chicago ranked #10 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Aveda Institute - Chicago is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Chicago carry an average student debtload of $14,772. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $140.

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Paul Mitchell the School Columbus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Columbus is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Columbus accumulate an average of around $15,549 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 $97.

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Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Kentwood, Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids carry an average student debtload of $14,142.

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#13

Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Crystal Lake, IL

With a ranking of #13, Cosmetology & Spa Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Crystal Lake.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Cosmetology & Spa Academy take out $11,917 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pawaukee.

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Niles School of Cosmetology ranked #15 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Niles School of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Niles.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Niles School of Cosmetology take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,501.

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Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at CVTC accumulate an average of around $13,131 in student debt.

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The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology ranked #17 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the suburb of Downers Grove, The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology take out $11,517 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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With a ranking of #18, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Tricoci Elgin is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Elgin.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Tricoci Elgin accumulate an average of around $11,821 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 $95.

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Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Libertyville, Tricoci LBV is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Tricoci LBV take out an average of $11,821 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $95.

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The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Shorewood, TSPA - Shorewood is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at TSPA - Shorewood accumulate an average of around $13,961 in student debt.

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The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Evansville, TSPA - Evansville is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at TSPA - Evansville take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,153.

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With a ranking of #22, Salon Institute-Toledo Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the suburb of Toledo, Salon Institute-Toledo Campus is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Salon Institute-Toledo Campus take out an average of $14,761 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
23 Paul Mitchell the School Normal Normal, IL
24 Empire Beauty School-Michigan Grand Rapids, MI
25 Aveda Institute - Columbus Columbus, OH
26 Twin City Beauty College Saint Joseph, MI
27 Hair Professionals Career College Sycamore, IL
28 G Skin & Beauty Institute West Dundee, IL
29 Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Heath Heath, OH
30 Rudae’s School of Beauty Culture-Ft Wayne Fort Wayne, IN

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 6
Ohio 15
Illinois 19
Indiana 8
Wisconsin 6

One of 4 majors within the area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.

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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