The Washington Monthly is the first and only publication to rank America’s best colleges for vocational certificates. To build the rankings, we pulled numbers for the twelve most common undergraduate certificate programs from the U.S. Department of Education’s new “gainful employment” database. For each program, we rank colleges according to the median earnings of their students three years after graduation. For informational purposes, we also show the median debt-to-earnings ratios, annual debt payments, estimated total debt, and outcome under the federal government’s gainful employment criteria—pass, at risk (“zone”), or fail.
Click here for a more detailed explanation, here for all of our other rankings, and here to download the full vocational certificate data set.
| Name | Median annual earnings | Annual debt payments as % of earnings | Annual debt payments | Estimated total debt | Gainful employment outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duvall's School Of Cosmetology ( TX ) ° | $25,171 | 4.27 | $1,076 | $8,407 | Pass |
| Hair Professionals Career College ( IL ) ° | $23,079 | 4.73 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Paul Mitchell The School ( UT ) ° | $23,003 | 3.72 | $857 | $6,696 | Pass |
| Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College ( MN ) * | $22,634 | 2.84 | $655 | $5,118 | Pass |
| Capri College ( IA ) ° | $21,999 | 3.45 | $759 | $5,930 | Pass |
| South Hills Beauty Academy ( PA ) ° | $21,738 | 2.02 | $473 | $3,696 | Pass |
| La' James International College - Des Moines ( IA ) ° | $21,608 | 3.17 | $692 | $5,407 | Pass |
| Capri Institute Of Hair Design ( NJ ) ° | $21,552 | 2.72 | $662 | $5,172 | Pass |
| Josef'S School Of Hair Design ( ND ) ° | $21,014 | 3.27 | $717 | $5,602 | Pass |
| San Francisco Institute Of Esthetics & Cosmetology ( CA ) ° | $20,991 | 3.51 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Capri College ( IA ) ° | $20,930 | 3.2 | $676 | $5,282 | Pass |
| Iowa School Of Beauty ( IA ) ° | $20,823 | 4.19 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness ( NJ ) ° | $20,292 | 4.26 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute ( NY ) ° | $20,180 | 3.26 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Casal Aveda Institute ( OH ) ° | $20,001 | 3.53 | $728 | $5,688 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute ( MN ) ° | $19,959 | 4.04 | $857 | $6,696 | Pass |
| Brown Aveda Institute ( OH ) ° | $19,846 | 3.16 | $690 | $5,391 | Pass |
| Merrell University Of Beauty Arts & Science ( MO ) ° | $19,840 | 3.82 | $759 | $5,930 | Pass |
| Gary Manuel Aveda Institute ( WA ) ° | $19,741 | 4.45 | $1,009 | $7,883 | Pass |
| Design'S School Of Cosmetology ( CA ) ° | $19,689 | 2.71 | $534 | $4,172 | Pass |
| Avenue Five Institute ( TX ) ° | $19,684 | 5.29 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture ( IL ) ° | $19,586 | 4.78 | $1,009 | $7,883 | Pass |
| Graham Webb International Academy Of Hair ( VA ) ° | $19,424 | 3.44 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| La' James International College ( IA ) ° | $19,392 | 4.02 | $780 | $6,094 | Pass |
| Evergreen Beauty And Barber College ( WA ) ° | $19,310 | 3.87 | $854 | $6,672 | Pass |
| Pivot Point Academy ( IL ) ° | $19,299 | 4.52 | $958 | $7,485 | Pass |
| Paul Mitchell The School Bradley ( IL ) ° | $19,231 | 4.81 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| G Skin & Beauty Institute ( IL ) ° | $19,196 | 4.17 | $886 | $6,922 | Pass |
| Institute Of Beauty And Wellness (The) ( WI ) ° | $18,958 | 4.24 | $845 | $6,602 | Pass |
| Universal Spa Training Academy ( IL ) ° | $18,904 | 5.35 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Baltimore School Of Massage ( MD ) ° | $18,668 | 4.64 | $994 | $7,766 | Pass |
| Lincoln Technical Institute ( NJ ) ° | $18,612 | 6.2 | $1,155 | $9,024 | Pass |
| Douglas J Aveda Institute Chicago ( IL ) ° | $18,592 | 4.64 | $934 | $7,297 | Pass |
| Elizabeth Grady School Of Esthetics And Massage Therapy ( MA ) ° | $18,506 | 3.12 | $683 | $5,336 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute Covington ( LA ) ° | $18,487 | 4.12 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Hair Professionals Academy Of Cosmetology ( IL ) ° | $18,473 | 4.03 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute Denver ( CO ) ° | $18,466 | 5.91 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute Lafayette ( LA ) ° | $18,307 | 3.45 | $632 | $4,938 | Pass |
| Skin Science Institute Of Laser & Esthetics ( UT ) ° | $18,228 | 9.05 | $1,651 | $12,899 | Pass |
| Artistic Academy Of Hair Design ( NJ ) ° | $18,038 | 2.53 | $531 | $4,149 | Pass |
| Paroba College Of Cosmetology ( WA ) ° | $17,948 | 5.12 | $1,020 | $7,969 | Pass |
| Paul Mitchell The School Dallas ( TX ) ° | $17,947 | 5.5 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Hair Professionals Career College ( IL ) ° | $17,823 | 6.13 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Lancaster School Of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork ( PA ) ° | $17,816 | 2.22 | $437 | $3,414 | Pass |
| John Jay Kenner Academy ( LA ) ° | $17,792 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Bellus Academy ( CA ) ° | $17,651 | 4.55 | $865 | $6,758 | Pass |
| California Academy (The) ( CA ) ° | $17,642 | 4.4 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Ogle School Hair Skin Nails ( TX ) ° | $17,611 | 3.58 | $688 | $5,375 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CT ) ° | $17,602 | 3.84 | $739 | $5,774 | Pass |
| My Le'S Beauty College ( CA ) ° | $17,179 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Western Hills School Of Beauty & Hair Design ( OH ) ° | $17,112 | 5.22 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( KS ) ° | $17,090 | 6.82 | $1,377 | $10,759 | Pass |
| Gallery College Of Beauty (The) ( MI ) ° | $17,043 | 4.75 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute Chapel Hill ( NC ) ° | $16,884 | 5.37 | $1,019 | $7,961 | Pass |
| Capitol School Of Hairstyling ( NE ) ° | $16,853 | 4.52 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics, Nails, & Cosmetology ( MS ) ° | $16,848 | 2.8 | $510 | $3,985 | Pass |
| Xenon International Academy Ii ( NE ) ° | $16,783 | 4.82 | $866 | $6,766 | Pass |
| Empire Beauty School ( PA ) ° | $16,642 | 4.43 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Capri Cosmetology Learning Center ( NY ) ° | $16,592 | 3.9 | $721 | $5,633 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $16,527 | 4.7 | $870 | $6,797 | Pass |
| Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture ( IL ) ° | $16,513 | 5.75 | $1,009 | $7,883 | Pass |
| Masters Of Cosmetology College ( IN ) ° | $16,467 | 10.21 | $1,719 | $13,431 | Zone |
| Paul Mitchell The School Austin ( TX ) ° | $16,429 | 5.93 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| College Of Hair Design ( NE ) ° | $16,340 | 5.69 | $930 | $7,266 | Pass |
| Xenon International Academy Iii ( CO ) ° | $16,252 | 4.14 | $743 | $5,805 | Pass |
| Rudae'S School Of Beauty Culture ( IN ) ° | $16,132 | 3.09 | $564 | $4,407 | Pass |
| Hair Dynamics Education Center ( CO ) ° | $16,120 | 3.86 | $665 | $5,196 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute Las Vegas ( NV ) ° | $16,071 | 6.41 | $1,240 | $9,688 | Pass |
| Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture ( IL ) ° | $16,031 | 5.71 | $1,009 | $7,883 | Pass |
| Spa Tech Institute ( ME ) ° | $15,995 | 4.84 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Central State Beauty And Wellness College ( OK ) ° | $15,987 | 3.14 | $683 | $5,336 | Pass |
| Capri Institute Of Hair Design ( NJ ) ° | $15,891 | 4.07 | $736 | $5,750 | Pass |
| Jolie Health And Beauty Academy ( PA ) ° | $15,889 | 4.93 | $947 | $7,399 | Pass |
| Bellus Academy ( CA ) ° | $15,880 | 4.78 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Continental School Of Beauty Culture ( NY ) ° | $15,827 | 4.93 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Empire Beauty School ( ME ) ° | $15,813 | 4.67 | $744 | $5,813 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $15,585 | 4.84 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Career Academy Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $15,540 | 4.17 | $750 | $5,860 | Pass |
| Advanced Institute Of Hair Design ( WI ) ° | $15,473 | 3.02 | $496 | $3,875 | Pass |
| Utah College Of Massage Therapy ( UT ) ° | $15,444 | 6.13 | $1,019 | $7,961 | Pass |
| House Of Heavilin Beauty College ( MO ) ° | $15,406 | 6.84 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology ( NM ) ° | $15,332 | 3.24 | $633 | $4,946 | Pass |
| Evergreen Beauty And Barber College ( WA ) ° | $15,318 | 4.58 | $828 | $6,469 | Pass |
| Virginia School Of Massage ( VA ) ° | $15,288 | 6.03 | $936 | $7,313 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute-Corpus Christi ( TX ) ° | $15,259 | 5.85 | $1,092 | $8,532 | Pass |
| Palomar Institute Of Cosmetology ( CA ) ° | $15,250 | 3.52 | $593 | $4,633 | Pass |
| Florida College Of Natural Health ( FL ) ° | $15,155 | 3.72 | $694 | $5,422 | Pass |
| Parisian Beauty Academy ( NJ ) ° | $14,958 | 2.39 | $460 | $3,594 | Pass |
| L'Esprit Academy ( MI ) ° | $14,668 | 3.67 | $539 | $4,211 | Pass |
| Continental School Of Beauty Culture ( NY ) ° | $14,654 | 5.81 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Academy Of Salon And Spa ( AR ) ° | $14,583 | 9.55 | $1,397 | $10,915 | Zone |
| Southwest Institute Of Healing Arts ( AZ ) ° | $14,379 | 5.48 | $1,092 | $8,532 | Pass |
| Federico Beauty Institute ( CA ) ° | $14,339 | 4.28 | $693 | $5,414 | Pass |
| Atlanta School Of Massage ( GA ) ° | $14,283 | 7.6 | $1,311 | $10,243 | Pass |
| Miller-Motte Technical College ( VA ) ° | $14,213 | 5.85 | $963 | $7,524 | Pass |
| Michigan College Of Beauty ( MI ) ° | $14,166 | 2.67 | $506 | $3,953 | Pass |
| Tennessee College Of Applied Technology - Nashville ( TN ) * | $14,147 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology ( ID ) ° | $14,140 | 4.51 | $832 | $6,500 | Pass |
| International Salon And Spa Academy ( CO ) ° | $14,129 | 5.04 | $918 | $7,172 | Pass |
| Georgia Career Institute ( GA ) ° | $14,089 | 4.77 | $759 | $5,930 | Pass |
| International Academy Of Hair Design ( AZ ) ° | $14,009 | 3.04 | $506 | $3,953 | Pass |
| Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture ( IL ) ° | $13,978 | 6.9 | $1,009 | $7,883 | Pass |
| National Academy Of Beauty Arts ( MO ) ° | $13,950 | 6.11 | $1,035 | $8,086 | Pass |
| Miller - Motte Technical College ( TN ) ° | $13,948 | 6.33 | $1,049 | $8,196 | Pass |
| Tennessee Career Institute ( TN ) ° | $13,931 | 5.15 | $737 | $5,758 | Pass |
| Ogle School Hair Skin Nails ( TX ) ° | $13,909 | 4.18 | $738 | $5,766 | Pass |
| Continental School Of Beauty Culture ( NY ) ° | $13,880 | 4.12 | $690 | $5,391 | Pass |
| Crave Beauty Academy ( KS ) ° | $13,872 | 6.94 | $1,093 | $8,540 | Pass |
| Daytona College ( FL ) ° | $13,863 | 5.27 | $920 | $7,188 | Pass |
| Empire Beauty School ( NY ) ° | $13,766 | 6.31 | $1,020 | $7,969 | Pass |
| Empire Beauty Schools ( NH ) ° | $13,553 | 5.87 | $867 | $6,774 | Pass |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ( GA ) * | $13,530 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| National Beauty College ( OH ) ° | $13,444 | 5.09 | $823 | $6,430 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CT ) ° | $13,365 | 3.6 | $622 | $4,860 | Pass |
| Tennessee Academy Of Cosmetology ( TN ) ° | $13,361 | 5.07 | $886 | $6,922 | Pass |
| Ogle School Hair Skin Nails ( TX ) ° | $13,352 | 4.39 | $621 | $4,852 | Pass |
| Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology ( TN ) ° | $13,343 | 6.38 | $966 | $7,547 | Pass |
| Cosmetology And Spa Academy ( IL ) ° | $13,270 | 5.51 | $878 | $6,860 | Pass |
| Carsten Institute Of Cosmetology ( AZ ) ° | $13,251 | 3.73 | $637 | $4,977 | Pass |
| Paul Mitchell The School - Esani ( GA ) ° | $13,147 | 8.69 | $1,311 | $10,243 | Pass |
| Douglas J Aveda Institute ( MI ) ° | $13,049 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Aveda Institute Columbus ( OH ) ° | $13,024 | 6.2 | $1,048 | $8,188 | Pass |
| Capri College ( IA ) ° | $12,910 | 5.21 | $729 | $5,696 | Pass |
| Studio Academy Of Beauty (The) ( AZ ) ° | $12,878 | 5.76 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| All-State Career ( MD ) ° | $12,809 | 5.07 | $1,014 | $7,922 | Pass |
| Creative Images Institute Of Cosmetology ( OH ) ° | $12,584 | 6.79 | $947 | $7,399 | Pass |
| Emily Griffith Technical College ( CO ) * | $12,489 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Salon Professional Academy (The) ( CO ) ° | $12,441 | 4.36 | $640 | $5,000 | Pass |
| Tucson College Of Beauty ( AZ ) ° | $12,384 | 5.3 | $879 | $6,868 | Pass |
| Glen Dow Academy Of Hair Design & Salons ( WA ) ° | $12,356 | 4.83 | $717 | $5,602 | Pass |
| Milan Institute Of Cosmetology ( TX ) ° | $12,248 | 5.67 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $12,190 | 5.62 | $867 | $6,774 | Pass |
| Capri Institute Of Hair Design ( NJ ) ° | $12,154 | 5.67 | $846 | $6,610 | Pass |
| Altoona Beauty School ( PA ) ° | $12,132 | 3.45 | $573 | $4,477 | Pass |
| Bene'S Career Academy ( FL ) ° | $11,992 | 3.83 | $524 | $4,094 | Pass |
| Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture ( IL ) ° | $11,967 | 6.68 | $1,009 | $7,883 | Pass |
| Independence College Of Cosmetology ( MO ) ° | $11,962 | 9.89 | $1,382 | $10,798 | Zone |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( NV ) ° | $11,909 | 5.77 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $11,890 | 6.41 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Missouri College Of Cosmetology North ( MO ) ° | $11,642 | 4.59 | $598 | $4,672 | Pass |
| Summit Salon Academy ( WA ) ° | $11,588 | 5.89 | $1,020 | $7,969 | Pass |
| Toledo Academy Of Beauty Culture - East ( OH ) ° | $11,521 | 3.07 | $485 | $3,789 | Pass |
| Guy'S Academy Hair, Skin & Nails ( LA ) ° | $11,081 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( NV ) ° | $11,052 | 5.58 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Jolie Hair And Beauty Academy ( MA ) ° | $10,737 | 7.18 | $920 | $7,188 | Pass |
| University Of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences ( TX ) ° | $10,652 | 6.91 | $939 | $7,336 | Pass |
| Beauty Schools Of America ( FL ) ° | $10,644 | 9.5 | $1,311 | $10,243 | Zone |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $10,462 | 5.78 | $873 | $6,821 | Pass |
| Rosemead Beauty School ( CA ) ° | $10,209 | 0 | $1 | $8 | Pass |
| California Hair Design Academy ( CA ) ° | $10,000 | 3.32 | $612 | $4,782 | Pass |
| Alhambra Beauty College ( CA ) ° | $10,000 | 0.1 | $15 | $117 | Pass |
| La' James International College ( IA ) ° | $9,873 | 7.11 | $945 | $7,383 | Pass |
| Ravenscroft Beauty College ( IN ) ° | $9,828 | 6.1 | $948 | $7,407 | Pass |
| Newberry School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $9,747 | 2.72 | $536 | $4,188 | Pass |
| Thanh Le College, School Of Cosmetology ( CA ) ° | $9,700 | 0.09 | $10 | $78 | Pass |
| Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology & Nails ( SC ) ° | $9,648 | 3.23 | $506 | $3,953 | Pass |
| Broken Arrow Beauty College ( OK ) ° | $9,643 | 4.75 | $680 | $5,313 | Pass |
| Milan Institute ( TX ) ° | $9,612 | 6.87 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Empire Beauty Schools ( NH ) ° | $9,610 | 5.51 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Central Carolina Community College ( NC ) * | $9,559 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $9,512 | 5.32 | $860 | $6,719 | Pass |
| Salon Success Academy ( CA ) ° | $9,356 | 4.98 | $766 | $5,985 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( UT ) ° | $9,264 | 8.01 | $948 | $7,407 | Zone |
| David'S Academy Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $9,238 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Charleston School Of Beauty Culture ( WV ) ° | $9,165 | 2.12 | $322 | $2,516 | Pass |
| Academy Of Hair Design ( NV ) ° | $9,123 | 5.35 | $725 | $5,664 | Pass |
| Advance Beauty College ( CA ) ° | $9,098 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Florida Career College ( FL ) ° | $8,983 | 8.64 | $927 | $7,243 | Pass |
| Marinello School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $8,842 | 6.43 | $874 | $6,829 | Pass |
| Leon'S Beauty School ( NC ) ° | $8,634 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| International Academy ( FL ) ° | $8,445 | 8.37 | $874 | $6,829 | Zone |
| Royale College Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $8,410 | 3.97 | $579 | $4,524 | Pass |
| Empire Beauty School ( PA ) ° | $8,315 | 7.21 | $1,017 | $7,946 | Pass |
| Michigan College Of Beauty-Monroe ( MI ) ° | $8,309 | 4.16 | $506 | $3,953 | Pass |
| Coastline Beauty College ( CA ) ° | $8,280 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Asian-American International Beauty College ( CA ) ° | $8,162 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| International School Of Beauty ( CA ) ° | $7,997 | 4.73 | $609 | $4,758 | Pass |
| Salon Success Academy ( CA ) ° | $7,972 | 6.07 | $648 | $5,063 | Pass |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center School District No. 21 ( OK ) * | $7,662 | 1.18 | $144 | $1,125 | Pass |
| Nouvelle Institute ( FL ) ° | $7,352 | 0 | $0 | $0 | Pass |
| Palace Beauty College ( CA ) ° | $5,452 | 4.68 | $391 | $3,055 | Pass |