“Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars” - Norman Vincent Peale.

It’s time to go big, and not go home.

So you’re interested in beauty pageants and you’re ready to start your research. First, we recommend you take a look at the most common beauty pageant questions and how to answer them, then we suggest you take a look at dresses and sashes… Then get started on this list of the most important beauty pageants in the US.
Sure you can start with some of the names of beauty pageants near you, and we believe that local beauty pageants are a great place to dip your toes into the water. But these are the beauty pageants that you’re aiming for long term. The prestigious top 9 beauty pageants that all contestants aim for… These are the ehm, scholarship programs, that are considered the best of the best.

Note: We are sticking to beauty pageants within the United States so you won’t see the big four here: Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth. These pageants represent the best of the best in the US.

9: USA National Miss

The USA National Miss competition is a beauty pageant that is good practice for ladies who want to take their beauty pageant skills to the next level. The pageant takes place every year and boasts a prize of $100,000 for each winner and another $2 million in scholarships awarded in 2022 alone. Now, this pageant is a little different from the Miss USA state pageants you may be more familiar with. The USA National Miss accepts applicants from ages 4 - 25. It’s hosted by the USA National Miss Nationals and boasts competitions in each state so you can find out if your state will be hosting a pageant this year.

You can learn more about the USA National Miss pageants here.

8. Miss Colorado

Colorado has won Miss America 3 times since the formation of the beauty pageant in 1953. To apply for the pageant, you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must have lived in Colorado for at least 90 days prior to application
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 28

The winner receives a prize package valued at over $15,000. Not too shabby for the Rocky Mountains. This pageant also does NOT require a talent so you can put the flaming battens away, unless you love your talent, then maybe you can check out one of the other pageants on this list.

You can learn more about the Miss Colorado pageant here.

7. Miss Nevada

Last year’s Miss Nevada winner (2021) was the first openly transgender woman to claim the crown. This puts the Miss Nevada pageant in the history books among some of the biggest competition changes and wins ever. In order to compete you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 27

There have been many rule changes at this competition including that women who are married and/or have children can now compete.

You can learn more about the Miss Nevada pageant here.

6. America’s Majestic Miss

Here’s another beauty pageant that is a part of the traditional state-specific beauty pageants. This beauty pageant is hosted by America's Majestic Miss National Scholarship Pageants which has been running for the better part of 10 years. This pageant can’t boast the prestige of the traditional pageants but it has attracted some attention, especially because the pageant crowns a winner from a region, not just a specific state. You can win Miss West Cast, Miss Southern, Miss Southeastern and Miss Florida.

You can learn more about America's Majestic Miss pageant here.

5. Miss District of Colombia

Nabbing the crown in our nation’s capitol has never been more prestigious. D.C. makes this list of the top beauty pageants because the winners have gone on to make big waves politically. D.C. is a great town for contestants who want to leave a mark. In order to compete you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 26
• You must reside in, be enrolled in, and attending classes at an Accredited University or be employed full-time in D.C.

There is no talent requirement for the competition so study your answers for the interview portion and blow the judges away with your style, charisma, and grace.

You can learn more about Miss D.C pageant here.

4. Miss New York

All roads lead to New York City but not all Miss New York winners hail from the metropolis. In order to compete you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 26
• You must reside in, be enrolled in, and attending classes at an Accredited University or be employed full-time in New York

Much like the other beauty pageants, there is no talent required to enter… I bet you’re beginning to see a pattern here.

You can learn more about Miss New York pageant here.

3. Miss California

The Miss California pageant is one of the most sought after and prestigious pageants in the nation. California has the second most Miss America winners at 6 in total. The pedigree of these contestants is out of this world, and if you want to compete, you better bring your A-game.

California is also the state with the most beauty pageants in general. There’s big competition in Cali.

In order to compete you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must be between the ages of 19 and 26
• You must reside in, be enrolled in, and attending classes at an Accredited University or be employed full-time in California

Miss California does require a talent as part of the judging process so be sure to have something prepared to blow a few socks off… metaphorically speaking that is.

You can learn more about Miss California pageant here.

2. Miss Texas

Everything in Texas is bigger, and so are the pageants. Miss Texas has the most Miss America wins of any other pageant at 9 in total. Texas has the second most beauty pageants in the US and this competition is fierce. In fact, this year’s 2022 Miss America pageant winner was from…. You guessed it, Texas.

In order to compete you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must be between the ages of 19 and 26
• You must reside in, be enrolled in, and attending classes at an Accredited University or be employed full-time in Texas

But, unlike Miss California, there is no talent requirement for the Miss Texas pageant.

You can learn more about Miss Texas pageant here.

1. Miss America

And of course, the main event, the big show, the pageant of all pageants… Miss America.

This pageant is so incredibly well known they’ve even made movies about it (Thank you Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality).

We believe that Miss America 2019, Nia Franklin, summed up just how important this pageant is here. And how it’s so much more than a scholarship program.

“I had to find a way to pay for myself to go to school and so I entered this competition and this organization and it became much more than just the scholarship money for me, it was also about the mentorship, leadership and sisterhood you find in this program.”

In order to compete you must adhere to these eligibility requirements:

• You must enter a state or local competition and win.
• You must be a citizen of the US
• You must be between the ages of 17 and 26

Not be a candidate, titleholder, or representative of a competing program to the Miss America and MAOTeen programs

Unlike the movie Miss Congeniality, you no longer need to have a talent to perform in this pageant.

You can learn more about Miss America pageant here.

That’s our list. The best of the best. The tip of the top. The most prestigious and important beauty pageants in the US. If you are just starting out, we recommend you check out a local pageant first, but keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to the big 9. These are the pageants you’re aiming for in the long run. Eyes on the prize girl… you got this.