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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

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

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate School for You

Cosmetology is the #229 most popular major in the country with 107,895 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 274 schools in the Southeast 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 Southeast Region

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

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Cosmetology

#1

Image Maker Beauty Institute

Hendersonville, TN

Our analysis found Image Maker Beauty Institute to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Southeast Region . Image Maker Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Hendersonville.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Raleigh, Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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#3

Elaine Sterling Institute

Sandy Springs, GA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Elaine Sterling Institute. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large city of Sandy Springs, Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Elaine Sterling Institute accumulate an average of around $17,903 in student debt.

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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Jacksonville.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville take out $15,753 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Summit Salon Academy - Tampa helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southeast Region . Located in the suburb of Tampa, Summit Salon Academy Tampa is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Summit Salon Academy Tampa carry an average student debtload of $14,053. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $131.

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#6

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill ranked #6 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Chapel Hill.

Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill take out an average of $14,578 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $126, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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With a ranking of #7, Paul Mitchell the School Mclean did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the large suburb of McLean, Paul Mitchell the School Mclean is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Mclean take out $15,753 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large city of Nashville, TSPA - Nashville is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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#9

The Beauty Institute

West Palm Beach, FL

The Beauty Institute 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. The Beauty Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Palm Beach.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at The Beauty Institute accumulate an average of around $7,797 in student debt.

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Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Woodbridge, Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Woodbridge accumulate an average of around $15,753 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $81, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#11

Gould'S-Academy

Bartlett, TN

With a ranking of #11, Gould’S-Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. <nil> is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Bartlett.

Cosmetology majors at <nil> take out an average of $13,886 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#12

Cozmo Beauty School

Bonita Springs, FL

Cozmo Beauty School landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Bonita Springs, Cozmo Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

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#13

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, FL

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee 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. Aveda Institute - Tallahassee is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Tallahassee.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Tallahassee take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,715. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $82.

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Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Roanoke.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Roanoke take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $14,684.

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Virginia School of Hair Design came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Virginia School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Hampton.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Virginia School of Hair Design accumulate an average of around $11,335 in student debt.

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Paul Mitchell the School Esani ranked #16 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Roswell, Paul Mitchell the School Esani is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Esani take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $16,866. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $88, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Elevate Salon Institute - Durham 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. Elevate Salon Institute - Durham is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Durham.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Elevate Salon Institute - Durham carry an average student debtload of $12,931.

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Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the city of Greenville, Alexander Paul Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Alexander Paul Institute carry an average student debtload of $12,156.

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#19

Gould's Academy

Memphis, TN

Gould’s Academy landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Memphis, Gould's Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Gould's Academy take out $13,886 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Raleigh, Mitchell's Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Mitchell's Academy take out $8,384 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#21

Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School

North Little Rock, AR

Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School take out an average of $15,866 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 $79.

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

On average, cosmetology graduates from Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology take out $16,056 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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With a ranking of #23, Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Kennesaw.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Kennesaw take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $16,273. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $80, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Greenville, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville accumulate an average of around $13,891 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 $122.

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#25

Florida Academy

Fort Myers, FL

Florida Academy came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Florida Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Fort Myers.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Florida Academy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $10,433. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $43.

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Rest of the Top Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region

#27

Keune Academy by 124

Lawrenceville, GA
#28

Health and Style Institute

High Point, NC
#29

Empire Beauty School-West Palm

West Palm Beach, FL
#37

Paul Mitchell the School Charleston

North Charleston, SC

Additional 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 the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
42 Paul Mitchell the School Orlando Oviedo, FL
43 Empire Beauty School-Gwinnett Lawrenceville, GA
44 Empire Beauty School-E Memphis Memphis, TN
45 Empire Beauty School-Florence Florence, KY
46 Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC
47 Empire Beauty School-Lakeland Lakeland, FL
48 American Institute of Beauty Largo, FL
49 The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville Huntsville, AL
50 Tenaj Salon Institute The Villages, FL
51 The Salon Professional Academy - North Little Rock North Little Rock, AR
52 Paul Mitchell the School Greenville Greenville, SC
52 Designer Barber & Stylist School Ft Smith, AR
54 Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia Columbia, SC

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 193
South Carolina 0
Arkansas 1
Alabama 110
Mississippi 26

Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of programs to choose from.

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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