Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools

2023 Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools

907 Colleges
$18,795 Avg Salary
$12,190 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Personal & Culinary Services School for You

In 2020-2021, 130,328 people earned a degree or certificate in personal and culinary services, making the major the #31 most popular in the United States.

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 Personal & Culinary Services Schools ranking. This report analyzed 907 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the United States

The colleges and universities below are the best for personal and culinary services majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Top Schools in Personal & Culinary Services

Our analysis found Institute of Culinary Education - Los Angeles to be the best school for personal and culinary services students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Institute of Culinary Education - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from Institute of Culinary Education - Los Angeles take out $6,811 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $344, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Institute of Culinary Education - Los Angeles Report

Request Information

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Institute of Culinary Education. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools list. Located in the large city of New York, Institute of Culinary Education is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Personal & Culinary Services majors at Institute of Culinary Education take out an average of $6,811 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $344, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Institute of Culinary Education

Request Information
#3

Medspa Academies

South Jordan, UT

Out of the 907 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Medspa Academies landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of South Jordan, National Institute of Medical Aesthetics is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from National Institute of Medical Aesthetics take out $12,125 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Request Information

The excellent programs at University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best personal and culinary services schools in the United States. Located in the large city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology take out $10,542 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Request Information

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFIEC is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from SFIEC take out $10,556 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 $95.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc

Request Information

With a ranking of #6, Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics did quite well on this year’s best schools for personal and culinary services students. Located in the large suburb of Henrico, Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that personal and culinary services majors at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics take out is $8,218.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics Report

Request Information

With a ranking of #7, Gary Manuel Aveda Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for personal and culinary services students. Located in the city of Seattle, GMAI is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from GMAI take out $10,429 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Gary Manuel Aveda Institute Report

Request Information

New York Institute of Beauty ranked #8 on this year’s Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools list. New York Institute of Beauty is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Islandia.

While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at New York Institute of Beauty accumulate an average of around $6,333 in student debt.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at New York Institute of Beauty

Request Information

Paroba College of Cosmetology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Everett, Paroba College of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Personal & Culinary Services majors at Paroba College of Cosmetology take out an average of $8,833 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

Request Information

With a ranking of #10, J D Academy of Salon and Spa did quite well on this year’s best schools for personal and culinary services students. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Danville.

Personal & Culinary Services majors at J D Academy of Salon and Spa take out an average of $6,211 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $70, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at J D Academy of Salon and Spa Report

Request Information

Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #11 on the list. Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Everett.

While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett accumulate an average of around $10,556 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 $74.

Read More…

Request Information

Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy ranked #12 on this year’s Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools list. DSI Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Reston.

While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at DSI Academy accumulate an average of around $11,200 in student debt.

Read More…

Request Information
#13

Arizona Culinary Institute

Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona Culinary Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #13 on the list. Arizona Culinary Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale.

After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from Arizona Culinary Institute carry an average student debtload of $9,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $165, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Arizona Culinary Institute Report

Request Information

With a ranking of #14, Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics did quite well on this year’s best schools for personal and culinary services students. Located in the suburb of Woburn, Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics carry an average student debtload of $7,625.

Read More…

Request Information

The Institute of Beauty and Wellness ranked #15 on this year’s Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools list. The Institute of Beauty and Wellness is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee.

Personal & Culinary Services majors at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness take out an average of $10,961 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 Personal & Culinary Services at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness

Request Information
#16

O'Briens Aveda Institute

Williston, VT

O’Briens Aveda Institute landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best personal and culinary services programs. O'Briens Aveda Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Williston.

After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from O'Briens Aveda Institute carry an average student debtload of $9,833.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at O’Briens Aveda Institute

Request Information

With a ranking of #17, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder did quite well on this year’s best schools for personal and culinary services students. Escoffier - Boulder is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Boulder.

After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from Escoffier - Boulder carry an average student debtload of $12,906. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $146.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Report

Request Information

Academy for Salon Professionals did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #18 on the list. Academy for Salon Professionals is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Northridge.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from Academy for Salon Professionals take out $8,913 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Request Information

The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #19 on the list. TSPA - Fargo is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Fargo.

The average amount in student loans that personal and culinary services majors at TSPA - Fargo take out is $12,000.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo

Request Information

Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics ranked #21 on this year’s Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools list. Located in the city of Omaha, Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Personal & Culinary Services majors at Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $72, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics Report

Request Information

Aveda Institute - Denver did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #22 on the list. Aveda Institute - Denver is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.

While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at Aveda Institute - Denver accumulate an average of around $12,000 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 Personal & Culinary Services at Aveda Institute - Denver

Request Information
#23

Universal Spa Training Academy

Downers Grove, IL

With a ranking of #23, Universal Spa Training Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for personal and culinary services students. Universal Spa Training Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from Universal Spa Training Academy take out $7,917 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Request Information

Aesthetic Science Institute came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools ranking. Aesthetic Science Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Latham.

On average, personal and culinary services graduates from Aesthetic Science Institute take out $6,333 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $63.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Aesthetic Science Institute

Request Information

Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best personal and culinary services programs. Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of WOODBURY.

After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus carry an average student debtload of $10,988. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $86.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus Report

Request Information

Rest of the Top 50 Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools

#29

Avenue Five Institute

Austin, TX
#32

Arrojo Cosmetology School

New York, NY
#33

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA
#34

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN
#35

PCI Academy-Plymouth

Plymouth, MN
#38

Avi Career Training

Great Falls, VA
#40

Nova Academy of Cosmetology

Rochester, MN
#42

Penrose Academy

Scottsdale, AZ
#44

Studio Academy of Beauty

Chandler, AZ
#45

Stewart School

Sioux Falls, SD
#48

Mitsu Sato Hair Academy

Overland Park, KS
#50

G Skin & Beauty Institute

West Dundee, IL

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 907 different United States personal and culinary services schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
52 Aveda Institute - Chicago Chicago, IL
53 Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc Pittsburgh, PA
54 Hoss Lee Academy Roseville, CA
55 Aveda Institute Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
56 The Salon Professional Academy - Appleton Appleton, WI
57 Aveda Institute - New York New York, NY
58 Paul Mitchell the School Austin Austin, TX
59 Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc Santa Rosa, CA
60 Xenon International Academy-Omaha Omaha, NE
61 New England Hair Academy Malden, MA
62 Tint School of Makeup & Cosmetology-Seattle Seattle, WA
63 Gene Juarez Academy-Mountlake Terrace Mountlake Terrace, WA
64 Fosbre Academy of Hair Design Olympia, WA
65 Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute Levittown, NY
66 The Salon Professional Academy - St Charles St. Charles, MO
66 PCI Academy-Ames Ames, IA
68 Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NY
69 Summit Salon Academy - Tacoma Tacoma, WA
70 The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics Virginia Beach, VA
71 Cinta Aveda Institute San Francisco, CA
72 Aveda Institute Portland - Vancouver Campus Vancouver, WA
73 Aveda Institute - Portland Portland, OR
74 Capri College, Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids, IA
75 Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology-Irving Irving, TX
76 Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup New York, NY
77 Hilltop Beauty School Daly City, CA
78 Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton Shelton, CT
79 Aveda Institute - Tucson Tucson, AZ
80 Mandalyn Academy American Fork, UT
81 Skin Science Institute Salt Lake City, UT
82 Black Hills Beauty College Rapid City, SD
83 Paul Mitchell the School Denver Lakewood, CO
84 Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids Kentwood, MI
85 Gould’s Academy Memphis, TN
86 Josef’s School of Hair, Skin & Body-Fargo Fargo, ND
87 Gene Juarez Academy-Federal Way Federal Way, WA
88 G Skin & Beauty Institute Oakbrook, IL
89 Aveda Institute - Phoenix Tempe, AZ
90 The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose San Jose, CA
91 Capilo School of Hair Design Augusta, ME
92 Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster Westminster, CO
93 Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-Provo Provo, UT
94 Aveda Institute - Boise Boise, ID
95 Eric Fisher Academy Wichita, KS
96 Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
97 Cameo College of Essential Beauty Murray, UT
98 Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Indiana, PA
99 Florida Academy Fort Myers, FL
100 Aveda Institute - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
101 Jupiter Beauty Academy Boston, MA
102 Bella Capelli Academy Monroeville, PA
103 Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake, IL
104 Pure Aesthetics Tucson, AZ
105 Gould’S-Academy Bartlett, TN
106 Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology Pine Brook, NJ
107 Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design-West Jordan West Jordan, UT
108 Paul Mitchell the School Milwaukee Pawaukee, WI
109 Josef’s School of Hair, Skin & Body, Grand Forks Grand Forks, ND
110 Paul Mitchell the School Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
111 Elevate Salon Institute - Durham Durham, NC
112 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville Libertyville, IL
113 Aveda Institute - Columbus Columbus, OH
114 Summit Salon Academy - Tampa Tampa, FL
115 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Elgin, IL
116 Elaine Sterling Institute Sandy Springs, GA
117 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
118 The Beauty Institute West Palm Beach, FL
119 Empire Beauty School-Hooksett Hooksett, NH
120 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
121 Paul Mitchell the School Missouri Columbia Columbia, MO
122 Ricci’s Academy of Cosmetology Newtown, CT
123 Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, WA
124 EINE Inc Tewksbury, MA
125 Michaels School of Hair Design and Esthetics - A Paul Mitchell Partner School Bedford, NH
126 The Salon Professional Academy - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
127 The Salon Professional Academy - Lewisville Lewisville, TX
128 Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc Feasterville, PA
129 Innovate Salon Academy South Plainfield, NJ
130 The Salon Professional Academy - Tonawanda Tonawanda, NY
131 Salon Institute-Toledo Campus Toledo, OH
132 Paul Mitchell the School Normal Normal, IL
133 The Salon Professional Academy - Evansville Evansville, IN
134 Merrell University of Beauty Arts and Science Jefferson City, MO
135 La James International College-Davenport Davenport, IA
136 Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy Santa Fe Springs, CA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools award.

Rank College Location
137 L’esprit Academy Livonia, MI
138 Twin City Beauty College Saint Joseph, MI
139 La James International College-Cedar Falls Cedar Falls, IA
140 American Institute of Beauty Largo, FL
141 Aveda Institute - Tallahassee Tallahassee, FL
142 Paul Mitchell the School Esani Roswell, GA
143 Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin Las Vegas, NV
144 Virginia School of Hair Design Hampton, VA
145 Paul Mitchell the School Spokane Spokane Valley, WA
145 Innovate Salon Academy - Ewing Ewing, NJ
147 Capri College, Dubuque Dubuque, IA
148 Douglas J Aveda Institute East Lansing, MI
149 Empire Beauty School-Michigan Grand Rapids, MI
150 Rudae’s School of Beauty Culture-Ft Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
151 Victoria’s Academy of Cosmetology Kennewick, WA
152 Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork Lancaster, PA
153 Metro Technology Centers Oklahoma City, OK
154 Worsham College of Mortuary Science Wheeling, IL
155 Phagans School of Hair Design Happy Valley, OR
156 Shear Ego International School of Hair Design Rochester, NY
157 Paul Mitchell the School Salt Lake City Holladay, UT
158 Paul Mitchell the School Honolulu Honolulu, HI
159 Paul Mitchell the School Wichita Wichita, KS
160 Boca Beauty Academy Boca Raton, FL
161 Hair Professionals Career College Sycamore, IL
162 Empire Beauty School-Laconia Laconia, NH
163 South Hills Beauty Academy Inc Pittsburgh, PA
164 Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers Nanuet, NY
165 Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School North Little Rock, AR
166 Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN
167 DuVall’s School of Cosmetology Bedford, TX
168 Branford Academy of Hair and Cosmetology Branford, CT
169 Cosmo Beauty Academy Sacramento, CA
170 Brown Aveda Institute - Strongsville Strongsville, OH
171 Paul Mitchell the School Chicago Chicago, IL
172 Capri Institute of Hair Design, Paramus Paramus, NJ
173 Texas College of Cosmetology-Lubbock Lubbock, TX
174 Paul Mitchell the School Madison Madison, WI
175 Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Heath Heath, OH
176 Boise Barber College Boise, ID
177 Empire Beauty School-Avondale Avondale, AZ
178 Paul Mitchell the School Richland Richland, WA
179 Metro Beauty Academy Allentown, PA
180 Empire Beauty School-Somersworth Somersworth, NH
181 El Centro College Dallas, TX

Personal & Culinary Services by Region

View the Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Personal & Culinary Services Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Cosmetology 107,895
Culinary Arts 19,806
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

Related Major Annual Graduates
Mechanic & Repair Technologies 96,336
Precision Production 52,913
Construction Trades 35,794
Transportation & Materials Moving 29,084

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 U.S. Army Europe Images.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Schools Near You

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