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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California

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

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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.

The Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 131 schools in California to see which undergraduate certificate 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.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for cosmetology majors pursuing a undergraduate certificate.

Our analysis found Bellus Academy - Poway to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in California. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Poway.

Women make up 96% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy accumulate an average of around $12,844 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $86.

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Out of the 131 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Temecula landed the # 2 spot on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Temecula is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Temecula.

Women make up 95% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Temecula take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $14,684. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $103.

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The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in California. Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa.

About 71% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 29% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa carry an average student debt load of $13,340. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $87.

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#4

MTI College

Sacramento, CA

Out of the 131 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, MTI College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, MTI College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Women make up 86% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at MTI College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $11,430. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $58.

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The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in California. Located in the large city of Sherman Oaks, Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

About 85% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 15% are male.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks take out an average of $15,069 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 $115.

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#6

Bellus Academy - National City

National City, CA

Bellus Academy - National City ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of National City.

About 68% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 32% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Bellus Academy carry an average student debt load of $15,665. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Bellus Academy - El Cajon ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of El Cajon.

Women make up 98% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Bellus Academy take out $11,741 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $68, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 80% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento take out an average of $11,975 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 $72.

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Paul Mitchell the School San Diego came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Paul Mitchell the School San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego.

About 80% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 20% are male.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School San Diego take out $13,340 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 $87.

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International School of Beauty Inc ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in the city of Palm Desert, International School of Beauty is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Women make up 81% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

On average, cosmetology graduates from International School of Beauty take out $8,770 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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#11

Federico Beauty Institute

Sacramento, CA

Federico Beauty Institute came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Federico Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

About 86% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 14% are male.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Federico Beauty Institute carry an average student debt load of $9,723. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $68, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Federico Beauty Institute Report

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#12

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 96% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

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#13

Cinta Aveda Institute

San Francisco, CA

Cinta Aveda Institute came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Cinta Aveda Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

About 83% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 17% are male.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Cinta Aveda Institute accumulate an average of around $13,781 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $102.

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#14

Moler Barber College

Oakland, CA

Moler Barber College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Moler Barber College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.

Women make up 58% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Moler Barber College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $14,527.

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Paul Mitchell the School Fresno landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Fresno is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno.

About 84% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 16% are male.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $43, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Paul Mitchell the School Modesto landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Modesto, Paul Mitchell the School Modesto is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 92% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Modesto take out an average of $8,543 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

About 86% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 14% are male.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $14,580. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $53, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#18

Urban Barber College

Concord, CA

Urban Barber College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Concord, Urban Barber College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 7% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Urban Barber College carry an average student debt load of $13,519.

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#19

Lu Ross Academy

Ventura, CA

Lu Ross Academy landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Lu Ross Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Ventura.

Of the 65 students majoring in cosmetology at Lu Ross Academy, 23% are male and 77% are female.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Lu Ross Academy take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,872. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $70.

Full Cosmetology at Lu Ross Academy Report

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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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
20 Advance Beauty College Garden Grove, CA
21 Milan Institute-Clovis Fresno, CA
22 Associated Barber College of San Diego San Diego, CA
23 Milan Institute-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
24 Hacienda La Puente Adult Education La Puente, CA
25 Salon Success Academy - Riverside Riverside, CA
25 Paul Mitchell the School East Bay Pleasant Hill, 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 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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