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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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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 analysis found The Salon Professional Academy - Onalaska to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Onalaska, TSPA - Onalaska is a private for-profit college with a 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 large city of Milwaukee, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a private for-profit college with a fairly 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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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Indianapolis helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . 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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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aveda Institute - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the medium-sized suburb of Appleton, TSPA - Appleton is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton Report

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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati

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 ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region 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.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis Report

University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a 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.

Full Cosmetology at University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Report

Aveda Institute - Chicago came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Columbus is a 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Columbus

Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the small city of Kentwood, Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids is a private for-profit college with a 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 large 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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Pawaukee.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee

Niles School of Cosmetology came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Niles School of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. 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.

Full Cosmetology at Chippewa Valley Technical College Report

The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Downers Grove, The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Tricoci Elgin is a small private for-profit school located in the 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.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Report

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 large 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville

The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood ranked #20 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Shorewood, TSPA - Shorewood is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood Report

The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville ranked #21 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the medium-sized city of Evansville, TSPA - Evansville is a private for-profit college 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.

Read More…

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 large 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Salon Institute-Toledo Campus

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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