Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa

19 Colleges
$19,770 Avg Salary
$12,139 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You

With 6 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, cosmetology is the #217 most popular major in Iowa.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

The Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 19 schools in Iowa 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 Iowa.

#1

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA

Our analysis found Aveda Institute - Des Moines to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in Iowa. Aveda Institute - Des Moines is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of West Des Moines.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Des Moines carry an average student debt load of $12,083. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $100.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Des Moines

#2

PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, IA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend PCI Academy-Ames. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa list. Located in the small city of Ames, PCI Academy-Ames is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at PCI Academy-Ames take out an average of $12,000 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 $87.

Read More…

#3

Capri College, Davenport

Davenport, IA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Capri College, Davenport. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa list. Located in the medium-sized city of Davenport, Capri College, Davenport is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Capri College, Davenport take out an average of $10,495 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $67, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Capri College, Davenport Report

#4

Capri College, Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, IA

Out of the 19 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Capri College, Cedar Rapids landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids, Capri College, Cedar Rapids is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Capri College, Cedar Rapids accumulate an average of around $11,834 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#4

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

The excellent programs at Capri College, Dubuque helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Iowa. Located in the small city of Dubuque, Capri College, Dubuque is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Capri College, Dubuque take out is $10,940. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $67, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa list. ISB is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Des Moines.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from ISB carry an average student debt load of $8,186.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines

La James International College-Davenport ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Iowa list. La James International College-Davenport is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Davenport.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at La James International College-Davenport accumulate an average of around $14,250 in student debt.

Read More…

With a ranking of #8, La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the remote town of Mason City, LaJames College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at LaJames College take out is $8,000.

Read More…

With a ranking of #9, The Salon Professional Academy did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, TSPA - Cedar Falls is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Cedar Falls carry an average student debt load of $12,062.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy

La James International College-Johnston landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. La James International College-Johnston is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Johnston.

Cosmetology majors at La James International College-Johnston take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Most Popular Cosmetology Colleges in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 23
Kansas 51

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 19 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

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.