How much is cosmetology school?

It’s not a surprise that often times the first thing most people ask about when they’re thinking of going to cosmetology school is “how much will this cost?” Fortunately for you, beauty school is usually much less expensive than a traditional four-year college or even a technical college.  On top of that, it could lead you to a fast-paced and rewarding career in the beauty industry.

In general, schools on the east and west coast, in addition to schools in urban areas, will tend to be more expensive than schools in suburban or rural areas. On the east coast, it’s typical for a beauty school to cost $11,000-$20,000, while in the Midwest and other more rural areas it, on average, can cost $7,000 or less.

The overall cost of your program can also depend on what kind of course you’re taking as well. A comprehensive course that covers nails, hair, and facial treatments is usually more expensive than separate programs such as esthetics, electrolysis, makeup or massage therapy.   Studying just hair design, for example, could cost $4,000 versus a full beauty school program of $11,000.

The good news is that you don’t have to come up with any money upfront when you apply to beauty schools because the vast majority of them do not have application fees.  This means you can explore numerous options and find the most compatible fit for you without any financial risks.

Cosmetology school involves a great deal of supplies, including scissors, books, practice kits, and more. Schools typically ask that you use a specific brand so that it is guaranteed you are learning on high-quality products. While many cosmetology schools, especially national chains, include the cost of materials in their tuition, others do not so make sure you ask when looking at programs so no unexpected costs sneak up on you.

The cost of cosmetology school is low when you compare it to other educational options. According to the College Board, a four year school could cost you upwards of $29,056.  It seems like an even better deal when you realize that you can start a career in just one to two years.

How do I choose a massage therapy school?

BeautySchools.com is so excited to hear that you are wanting to find a massage therapy school perfect for you.  With over 1,000 schools for you to consider, we know this can be overwhelming.  That is why we have answered your top questions to help make your decision a bit easier.

1. Compare program length

Because massage therapy is a regulated profession, accredited schools with massage therapy programs meet the hours required for students to become licensed upon completion.  While this does vary by state, the average required training is 500 hours.  Massage therapy schools may include more hours than required in order to cover additional methods and specialties.

Another thing to be sure to consider when looking at schools, is where you eventually would like to become a licensed massage therapist.  For example, if you plan on moving to California after attending an Arizona school, it is crucial that you have completed the necessary hours that California requires in order to receive your license.

2. Compare costs

How much a massage therapy program costs is typically correlated with the length of the program.  State’s that require 750 to 1,000 hours of training will cost an estimated $16,000 to $20,000, where as programs that  consist of 500 hours may cost as little as $5,000.

The biggest difference in cost among programs in the same state is what all is included in the tuition.  Because books , supplies and equipment may not be part of a school’s set program cost, it is important for you to check so that you do not run into hidden costs once enrolled.

3. Find massage therapy grants and scholarships

Yes there are plenty of scholarships that are offered for prospective massage therapy students just like yourself.  Two associations that often times award a number of scholarships a year are the American Massage Therapy Association and the International Spa Association.  In addition, most massage therapy schools offer scholarship opportunities specifically to their current students and those who plan on enrolling.  For example, the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences offers $500-$2,000 worth of scholarships each year to help defray costs for its students.  Be sure to ask each school you are interested in attending what scholarships they have available, as this may cut down your overall cost tremendously!

4. Pick your massage therapy school!

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What are the requirements to go to cosmetology school?

Ready to live your dream of going to cosmetology school?  Because there are no national requirements for cosmetology, each state is responsible for establishing its own standards.  While most states are very similar, there are always exceptions, so if you need more specific information, be sure to find your state here.   Let BeautySchools.com help answer all of your questions so that you can get started in the world of beauty as soon as possible!

How old do I have to be to attend beauty school?

We know you are itching to begin taking classes, and we can’t blame you for that!  For the most part, most schools require that you be either 17 or 18 years old.  There are some, including Oklahoma,  South Carolina and Louisiana  that do allow you to enroll when you are 16.  Other states do not take into consideration how old you are and only look at the level of high school education you have completed in order to deem your eligibility into their cosmetology programs.

Do I have to have a high school diploma or GED?

The most over arching answer is yes, but ultimately it depends on the school in which you plan to enroll in, the cosmetology specialty you are interested in, and the state’s requirements.  In a few states such as California, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana and New Jersey, you can find schools that do accept students who have only completed 10th grade.  Although vary uncommon, in Oklahoma, Connecticut and Michigan you can find cosmetology schools that will also accept students who have completed 8th or 9th grade.

Have no fear though if you haven’t received your GED or high school diploma.  Many schools also have entrance exams set up for those missing the educational requirements.  These tests will prove to the school that you have the knowledge to be successful in its cosmetology programs.  Because these entrance exams aren’t at the state level, you need to check with each beauty school you are considering to see if this is an option they have available.

Meet these requirements?  Let’s find you a program!

Can I enroll in cosmetology school classes in high school?

As mentioned above, typically schools only allow students to become enrolled and take classes after they have met the educational standards they have deemed appropriate.  Luckily, there are many high schools across the country that have partnered with cosmetology schools to either offer cosmetology classes as elective courses through the high school.  Even better news, often times these classes can go towards your cosmetology education once you have become a full-fledged cosmetology student.  Just imagine, mixing up typical high school courses such as math and science with a cosmetology class!

Contact Top Cosmetology Schools in Your Area!

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