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Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region

237 Colleges
$16,270 Avg Salary
$10,335 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 237 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Cosmetology program at each school on the list.

Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Southwest Region .

#1

Studio Academy of Beauty

Chandler, AZ

Our analysis found Studio Academy of Beauty to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in the Southwest Region . Located in the city of Chandler, Studio Academy of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Studio Academy of Beauty carry an average student debt load of $7,943. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $43.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Studio Academy of Beauty

Out of the 237 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Stafford landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Stafford, Ogle School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Ogle School take out is $10,257. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $62.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Stafford

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Olympian Academy of Cosmetology is a great place for cosmetology students. Olympian Academy of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Alamogordo.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Olympian Academy of Cosmetology take out is $13,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $38.

Full Cosmetology at Olympian Academy of Cosmetology Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-San Antonio. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the large city of San Antonio, Ogle School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Ogle School take out $9,274 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $70, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-San Antonio Report

The excellent programs at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Ft Worth helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Southwest Region . Located in the city of Fort Worth, Ogle School is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Ogle School take out $9,214 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Ft Worth

Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Dallas 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 city of Dallas, Ogle School is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Ogle School take out $9,214 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Dallas

#7

Penrose Academy

Scottsdale, AZ

Penrose Academy came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Penrose Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Penrose Academy take out an average of $8,898 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $98, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Avalon School of Cosmetology - Phoenix came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Avalon School of Cosmetology - Phoenix is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Avalon School of Cosmetology - Phoenix take out an average of $7,946 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $62.

Read More…

Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Arlington ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region list. Ogle School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Arlington.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Ogle School take out $9,274 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $70, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #10, Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-North Dallas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Dallas, Ogle School is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Ogle School take out $9,214 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.

Read More…

Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #11 on the list. Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso is a small private for-profit school located in the city of El Paso.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso take out is $9,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $57.

Full Cosmetology at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso Report

#12

Clary Sage College

Tulsa, OK

Clary Sage College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Tulsa, Clary Sage College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Clary Sage College take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $75, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Clary Sage College

#13

Central Oklahoma College

Oklahoma City, OK

Central Oklahoma College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Central Oklahoma College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Central Oklahoma College carry an average student debt load of $9,408.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Central Oklahoma College

#14

Aveda Institute - San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

With a ranking of #14, Aveda Institute - San Antonio did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large city of San Antonio, Aveda Institute - San Antonio is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - San Antonio take out is $9,832. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $74.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - San Antonio Report

With a ranking of #15, Avalon School of Cosmetology - Mesa did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Avalon School of Cosmetology - Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Mesa.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Avalon School of Cosmetology - Mesa accumulate an average of around $7,946 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $62.

Full Cosmetology at Avalon School of Cosmetology - Mesa Report

#16

Avenue Five Institute

Austin, TX

Avenue Five Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #16 on the list. Avenue Five Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Austin.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Avenue Five Institute carry an average student debt load of $8,348. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.

Read More…

With a ranking of #17, San Jacinto Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. San Jacinto College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Pasadena.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from San Jacinto College carry an average student debt load of $9,003.

Full Cosmetology at San Jacinto Community College Report

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region list. SWIHA is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Tempe.

On average, cosmetology graduates from SWIHA take out $9,500 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 $81.

Full Cosmetology at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Report

#19

Turning Point Beauty College

Casa Grande, AZ

Turning Point Beauty College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the rural area of Casa Grande, Turning Point Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Turning Point Beauty College take out an average of $13,525 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

With a ranking of #19, Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Hurst did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Hurst, Ogle School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Ogle School take out is $10,257. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $62.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Hurst

With a ranking of #21, Paul Mitchell the School Arlington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Paul Mitchell the School Arlington is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Arlington.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Arlington take out an average of $9,833 in student loans while working on their egree. 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

Paul Mitchell the School Houston came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Paul Mitchell the School Houston is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Houston.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Houston take out $15,930 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 $94.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Houston

#23

Ann Webb Skin Institute

Austin, TX

Ann Webb Skin Institute landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Austin, Ann Webb Skin Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Ann Webb Skin Institute take out an average of $7,917 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

With a ranking of #24, Aveda Institute - Tucson did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large city of Tucson, Aveda Institute - Tucson is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Tucson accumulate an average of around $10,555 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 $80.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Tucson

Paul Mitchell the School San Antonio came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of San Antonio, Paul Mitchell the School San Antonio is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School San Antonio take out is $9,833. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $75, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School San Antonio Report

#28

Houston Barber School

Houston, TX
#31

ABC Beauty Academy

Richardson, TX

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region award.

Rank College Location
36 Glitz School of Cosmetology Las-Cruces, NM
37 Salon Boutique Academy Addison, TX
37 Jenks Beauty College Jenks, OK
39 Aveda Institute - Phoenix Tempe, AZ
40 Tri-State Cosmetology Institute El Paso, TX
41 Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Plano Plano, TX
41 GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZ
43 Trinity Valley Community College Athens, TX
44 Avenue Five Institute - South Austin Campus Austin, TX
44 Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock Lubbock, TX
46 Texas Barber College Houston, TX
47 The Salon Professional Academy - Lewisville Lewisville, 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 26 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.

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