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Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

131 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. 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 Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 131 schools in the Southwest Region to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best educational experiences 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 Southwest 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 Paul Mitchell the School Austin the best school in the Southwest Region for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Paul Mitchell the School Austin is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Austin.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Austin carry an average student debtload of $14,185. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $71, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Austin

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southwest Region . Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Irving.

Cosmetology majors at Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving take out an average of $9,602 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $65, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving

#3

Penrose Academy

Scottsdale, AZ

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Penrose Academy is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Penrose Academy carry an average student debtload of $10,996. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $98, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#4

Avenue Five Institute

Austin, TX

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Avenue Five Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Avenue Five Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Austin.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Avenue Five Institute accumulate an average of around $11,872 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.

Full Cosmetology at Avenue Five Institute Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus is a great place for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Austin.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus carry an average student debtload of $11,872. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.

Full Cosmetology at Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus Report

#6

Studio Academy of Beauty

Chandler, AZ

With a ranking of #6, Studio Academy of Beauty did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Chandler, Studio Academy of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Studio Academy of Beauty take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,225. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $43.

Read More…

Aveda Institute - Tucson landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Tucson, Aveda Institute - Tucson is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Tucson carry an average student debtload of $12,231. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $80.

Read More…

With a ranking of #8, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Plano.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano carry an average student debtload of $15,509. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $114, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano

The Salon Professional Academy - Lewisville landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Lewisville, TSPA - Lewisville is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Lewisville take out $12,821 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Lewisville

Empire Beauty School-Avondale landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Empire Beauty School-Avondale is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Avondale.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Avondale carry an average student debtload of $16,273. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $80.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Avondale Report

Paul Mitchell the School Webster landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Webster is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Webster.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Webster take out $16,463 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 $94.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Webster

Exposito School 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 #12 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Amarillo, Exposito School of Hair Design is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Exposito School of Hair Design take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $12,295.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Exposito School of Hair Design

Diamonds Cosmetology College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the city of Sherman, Diamonds Cosmetology College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Read More…

With a ranking of #14, Paul Mitchell the School Arlington did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Paul Mitchell the School Arlington is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Arlington.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Arlington take out an average of $12,561 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Arlington

Aveda Institute - Phoenix did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Tempe, Aveda Institute - Phoenix is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Phoenix take out $12,231 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 $80.

Read More…

Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of Lubbock, Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock carry an average student debtload of $9,627.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Tulsa.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa take out an average of $14,735 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Tulsa

Charles and Sues School 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. Charles and Sues School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Bryan.

Cosmetology majors at Charles and Sues School of Hair Design take out an average of $11,872 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#19

Aveda Institute - San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

Aveda Institute - San Antonio ranked #19 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the large city of San Antonio, Aveda Institute - San Antonio is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - San Antonio take out $11,883 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 $74.

Read More…

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Cosmetology students in the Southwest Region that almost earned our Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region award.

Rank College Location
20 Metro Technology Centers Oklahoma City, OK
21 Paul Mitchell the School Phoenix Phoenix, AZ
22 Baldwin Beauty School - South Austin Austin, TX
23 Total Transformation Institute of Cosmetology San Marcos, TX
24 Empire Beauty School-Tucson Tucson, AZ
25 Texas College of Cosmetology-San Angelo San Angelo, TX
26 Texas College of Cosmetology-Abilene Abilene, TX

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Texas 159
Arizona 14
New Mexico 34

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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