2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California
Finding the Best Cosmetology 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 134 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Cosmetology program at each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California
Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.
Top 15% Most Popular Cosmetology Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Advance Beauty College the most popular school in California for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Garden Grove, Advance Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Advance Beauty College carry an average student debt load of $8,500.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Asian-American International Beauty College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California list. Asian-American International Beauty College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Westminster.
Cosmetology majors at Asian-American International Beauty College take out an average of $6,636 in student loans while working on their egree.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bellus Academy - Poway. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California list. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Poway.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy accumulate an average of around $10,917 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $86.
Out of the 134 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento take out an average of $10,532 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $72.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento
Out of the 134 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Milan Institute-Clovis landed the # 5 spot on the list. Milan Institute-Clovis is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Fresno.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Milan Institute-Clovis take out $9,180 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $41.
Federico Beauty Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Federico Beauty Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Federico Beauty Institute carry an average student debt load of $7,466. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $68, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Bellus Academy - National City came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of National City.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy take out is $16,188. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa carry an average student debt load of $10,556. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $87.
Paul Mitchell the School Modesto did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Modesto, Paul Mitchell the School Modesto 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 Modesto take out is $7,749. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Modesto
Coastline Beauty College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #10 on the list. Coastline Beauty College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Fountain Valley.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Coastline Beauty College take out $9,499 in student loans while working on their degree.
With a ranking of #11, My Le’s Beauty College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. My Le's Beauty College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Sacramento.
Paul Mitchell the School Temecula did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #12 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Temecula is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Temecula.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Temecula take out $14,556 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $103.
Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Temecula Report
With a ranking of #13, Bellus Academy - El Cajon did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of El Cajon.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Bellus Academy carry an average student debt load of $9,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $68, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Cinta Aveda Institute came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Cinta Aveda Institute carry an average student debt load of $11,332. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $102.
Career Academy of Beauty came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Garden Grove, Career Academy of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Career Academy of Beauty take out $7,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $44.
Salon Success Academy - Upland did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #16 on the list. Salon Success Academy - Upland is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Upland.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Salon Success Academy - Upland carry an average student debt load of $10,556. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $46.
California College of Barbering and Cosmetology landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Stockton, CAL CBC is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at CAL CBC accumulate an average of around $6,833 in student debt.
Salon Success Academy - Corona landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Corona, Salon Success Academy - Corona is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Salon Success Academy - Corona take out is $9,138. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $47.
With a ranking of #19, Citrus College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Citrus College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Glendora.
With a ranking of #20, Lu Ross Academy did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Lu Ross Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Ventura.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Lu Ross Academy take out is $7,732. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $70.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional popular schools for Cosmetology students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Salon Success Academy - Redlands | Redlands, CA |
| 22 | Cosmo Beauty Academy | Sacramento, CA |
| 23 | Milan Institute-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA |
| 24 | Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena | Pasadena, CA |
| 25 | Aveda Institute - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 26 | International College of Cosmetology | Oakland, CA |
Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Most Popular Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 152 |
| Oregon | 11 |
| Hawaii | 20 |
Cosmetology Related Majors
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.
- 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.