How do I Find the Best Cosmetology School Near Me?

The career growth rate for hairdressers in the United States between 2012 and 2022 is expected to be 13 percent. This is above the national average of 11 percent for all other job fields. While you often hear about the job growth rates for careers in technology or healthcare being high, many people do not fully realize the growth and demand for professionals in the exciting field of cosmetology. If you have decided to look further into becoming a cosmetologist, you are likely asking yourself, “How do I find the best cosmetology school near me?”.

Within the United States, there are approximately 1,569 accredited beauty schools with an average program length of 13 months. This gives you a large selection of schools to choose from. Options can be a very good thing, however, too many options can be a bit daunting. You may be wondering, with so many schools to choose from, how do I find the best cosmetology school near me?

The answer to that question will depend on several personal factors and will be different for each future cosmetologist. Selecting the right cosmetology school is important as it can affect the rest of your career and the amount of money you will make, not to mention, you will be spending many hours there over the course of the program.

It is also important to note that the best cosmetology school near you, may not be the best cosmetology school for your friend, your sister, or anyone else you know. The best cosmetology school will meet your individual needs and be a place where you feel most comfortable learning and growing.

What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

A cosmetologist, sometimes also referred to as a beautician, performs services and treatments on hair, skin, and nails. They help people look and feel their best. Some cosmetologists can also apply makeup. Many cosmetologists will specialize in one area, such as hair, while others may take clients for all different types of services.

What Will I Learn in Cosmetology School?

What Factors Should I Take Into Consideration When Choosing a School?

There are several factors you should take into consideration when deciding which cosmetology school you will attend. We’ve listed them below in order of importance.

Accreditation

One of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing a quality cosmetology school is accreditation. Accredited schools must meet strict academic and institutional requirements set forth by the accreditation agency.

When it comes to cosmetology schools, there’s one accrediting agency that stands out from all the rest, and that is the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Since it’s inception in 1969, the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences is the single accreditation agency that has the authority, granted by the United States Department of Education, to provide cosmetology schools with accreditation in the beauty industry.

TheNACCAS will scrutinize each of the following areas of a school to make sure they meet the accreditation agency’s strict standards for academic excellence:

Graduating from an NACCAS accredited school can definitely add value to your resume. In fact, many employers will only hire cosmetologists who have graduated from an NACCAS accredited school. Today, the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences serves more than 120,000 students across the nation.

Location

Because only a few cosmetology schools provide on-campus housing for their students, the location of the school is probably the second most important factor to consider when choosing a cosmetology school.

If you decide that the only way to obtain quality cosmetology training is to relocate to a different area or even a different state, then you’ll want to make sure your new place of residence is located in a safe neighborhood, preferably within minutes from the cosmetology school you’ll be attending.

Do your research to ensure that the school is also located in a safe neighborhood. Find out what the crime rate is in the area. Many cosmetology schools are required by law to disclose the local crime rates and sexual assault rates from the previous year. It’s always a good idea to take walks near the school at different times of day and take note of what you observe. Of course, it goes without saying, but you should never walk alone unless you know for sure that the area is safe.

If your student kit comes with one of these, it might be time to look for another school.

Your personal safety should always be near the top of your list of priorities as you attend school day in and day out. If you feel the school is located in a questionable neighborhood, you should ask the staff if there is a security presence on location before making your final decision to attend.

If you have decided to stay in your current area to go to school, consider your commute. If at all possible, you will want a quick and easy commute. This will give you more time and energy to focus on your cosmetology studies. Plus, the less money you spend on gas, the more money you’ll have to put towards school expenses and daily living expenses.

You may also want to think about where you see yourself living and working after you graduate from school. It is often easier to obtain licensure and start your career in the same state where you graduated from school. If you plan on relocating to a new state after you graduate, you may want to consider an early move and attend school in that location. Of course, this all depends on how much you’re willing to spend on moving and living expenses before and during your time in cosmetology school.

Tuition Cost

While we all want to go to the school of our dreams, we have to live within our budget. The average tuition for a beauty school program in the U.S. is just under $14,000 with most schools costing between $2,625 and $24,650 respectively.

Along with considering what you can afford, you will also want to remember that in many cases you get exactly what you pay for when it comes to education. There’s a reason why Aveda Institute and Empire Beauty Schools can charge more for tuition than the local community college. Selecting the school with the cheapest tuition is not always going to be the best choice for you.

While you do not want to go broke or find yourself in enormous debt to obtain your cosmetology education and training, remember that the cost is an investment into your future. Next to purchasing a house, your education is the second most important investment you’ll make in your lifetime.

You will also want to check with schools you are considering to see if they offer any scholarships, other forms of financial aid, help applying for grants, or any payment plans. If the school accept
s t
he Pell Grant, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to go to school free of charge. Plus, you’ll be free of any tuition debt when you graduate.

Hands-On and Real World Training Experiences

When checking out schools for your cosmetology education, be sure to ask about if they integrate real world training and hands-on experiences into their curriculum. Classroom education and theory are both very important, but applying what you learn to real-life situations before you graduate is priceless.

Most quality schools will partner with local beauty shops or even have their own salon on-site to give you the experience you need before you enter the job field.

Flexible Scheduling

Depending on your life circumstances, it may be important for you to find a school that offers weekend and evening courses. Many cosmetology students find themselves needing to work or take care of family obligations while going to school. While juggling school with a job or parenting can be a challenge, with the right school and the right schedule it is far from impossible.

You may also want to ask if part-time attendance is allowed. Many cosmetology schools offer both a full-time curriculum and a part-time curriculum for the same tuition amount.

School Reputation

You should also consider the overall reputation of a school prior to making a commitment to attend classes there. Talk to local cosmetologists to find out what kind of a reputation the school has within the community. Is it one that comes recommended by those already in the field or have they seen poor work come out of their graduates?

Make sure you ask the school what their graduation rate is, as well as their job placement rate. While no school can guarantee you a job in the cosmetology field right out of school, the higher a school’s job placement rate is, the more likely you’ll be able to secure employment in your chosen field soon after graduating.

Be That Annoying Little Kid

You know that annoying little kid that asks like a thousand questions about everything? That should be you when you’re looking at a school.

If the school recruiter does this, then you’re asking the right amount of questions.

Below is a list of questions you should have written down and ready to fire at the school recruiter during your consultation:

If the school refuses to answer all or most of these questions before they take your money, you should immediately hear alarm bells ringing in your head. Loud, annoying, piercing alarm bells.

If the school refuses to answer any of these questions… RUN!… as far away from that school as you can! Oh, and don’t forget to warn the other students waiting in the lobby on your way out.

What is the Average Cost of All the Cosmetology Schools Near Me?

Tuition and fees can vary widely from one school to the next. What you pay will depend on the location of your school. The general rule of thumb is this. Cosmetology schools located in a metropolitan area cost more than cosmetology schools located in a rural area.

We have created the table below in order to give you a general idea of what you might pay for tuition at local cosmetology schools in your state, as well as other important information, like average student debt, graduation rates, and the average length of cosmetology programs.

Cosmetologist School Statistics