Career Center - Top Beauty Schools

How Do the Top Beauty Schools Compare?

Image is important when choosing a cosmetology school or a specialized program in esthetics, nail technology or spa services. If the name of your school is recognized and respected locally or nationwide, it will help establish your credibility and get you hired in the job of your dreams.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a beauty school. You want to find a school that will not only prepare you to pass a state licensing exam, but one that will also inspire you and feed your creative spirit. Training in the right school can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. You'll work with talented teachers and get lots of hands-on experience.

The five schools compared below are leaders in the field. They are widely recognized as premier beauty schools that compete heavily to train the future leaders of the industry. You can learn a lot about what makes a good school by exploring these options, even if there isn't a location in your area. After all, this is your life's work we're talking about.

In most cases, length of training is determined by the educational hours required by each state. For this reason and because of local economies, costs vary by location. To find out specific details about tuition, it’s best to speak to an admissions representative at the schools you’re interested in.

Aveda Institutes

Aveda is a professional brand of plant-based products. The company is widely considered to be a trendsetter in the arts of hair styling and coloring, make-up, skin care and spa services. At the Aveda Institutes, students learn technical skills, explore their creativity and are trained in the Aveda philosophies of personal well-being and environmental sustainability.

Aveda Beauty School Course Offerings

The Aveda Institutes offer training in the following areas:

• Cosmetology – Covers hair cutting, color and texture services, make-up, nail technology and Aveda's trademarked science of "aromaology," or study of scents and aromas in conjunction with beauty treatments
• Massage and Day Spa – Covers anatomy, basic massage techniques and hydrotherapy treatments
• Esthiology – Covers Aveda facials, waxing, sugaring and make-up application
• Nail Technology – Covers natural nail care, spa manicures and spa pedicures

Courses include both theoretical and practical experience, as well as training in wellness, business development and retail knowledge

Tuition and Length of Training

Costs and hours of training vary by location, in keeping with regional laws and requirements. Average representative costs from select Aveda Institutes are $17,000 for a 1,250-hour cosmetology program, $4,000 for a 300-hour esthetics program and $2,600 for a 200-hour nail technology program.

School Locations

There are over 30 Aveda Institutes in 21 states across the country, as well as programs in Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia.

Empire Education Group

Empire is one of the largest providers of cosmetology education in North America with 87 schools in 18 states, and has been offering cosmetology training for more than 70 years. Empire Education Group includes:

• A Cut Above in Indiana
• Arthur Angelo in Rhode Island
• Artistic Beauty Colleges in Arizona and Colorado
• Blaine the Schools in Massachusetts
• Chic University of Cosmetology in Michigan
• Concorde Academy in New Jersey
• Empire Beauty Schools in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia
• European Academy in New Jersey
• The Hair Design School in Kentucky
• Martin's College of Cosmetology in Wisconsin
• National Motion Institute in New Jersey
• Pierre's School of Cosmetology in Maine
• Scot Lewis Schools in Minnesota

Empire Education Group Course Offerings

Empire emphasizes hands-on training in the following licensure training courses, although program availability varies by school:

• Cosmetology & Hairstyling – Includes cutting and coloring, spa services and make-up artistry
• Nail Technology – Includes manicures, pedicures and nail artistry
• Esthetics – Includes skin care and make-up
• Massage – Includes basic massage techniques, hydrotherapy treatments and human anatomy
• Teacher of Cosmetology – Includes teacher training techniques for manicures, pedicures and nail artistry

All programs also include formal training in salon management, reception, communication skills, marketing and sales. Career guidance and special instruction are part of the school's commitment to giving personal attention to every student.

Tuition and Length of Training

Programs vary, in light of differing state requirements. You will need to contact the Empire Education Group school nearest you to learn more about the hours of training and tuition costs in your area.

School Locations

There are 87 Empire schools in 18 states. See above for the school locations for each Empire Education Group school.

Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails

Founded in 1973 by internationally recognized hair stylist Shelton Ogle, the Ogle Schools work closely with national and international salons to offer a unique perspective. Graduates receive solid technical skills, as well as training in communication, sales skills and artistic excellence. Extensive hands-on experience is a key part of all training programs.

Ogle Beauty School Course Offerings

Ogle Schools offer the following three courses of training:

• Cosmetology – Focuses on hair design
• Esthetology – Focuses on skin care and make-up
• Student Instructor Training – Prepares licensed cosmetologists, estheticians and manicurists to work as instructors

Tuition and Length of Training

Ogle offers a rigorous 1,500-hour cosmetology course and a 750-hour esthetology program. Contact the Ogle School nearest you to learn more about training options and tuition costs.

School Locations

There are four Ogle School locations throughout the state of Texas.

Paul Mitchell Schools

Launched in 1980, the now world-famous John Paul Mitchell Systems line of products was created by hairdressers, for hairdressers. The Paul Mitchell Schools were developed to prepare students for successful careers in the salon industry, and a competitive admissions process ensures that only the most committed students are enrolled. The schools focus on developing your confidence, creativity and business skills – as well as provide the technical knowledge necessary to earn a state license.

Paul Mitchell Beauty School Course Offerings

Paul Mitchell Schools offer the following three courses of training:

• Basic Cosmetology – Heavily focused on hair design, this three-part course teaches cutting, coloring, multicultural techniques, makeup and fashion trends.
• The Skin Academy – This program covers international skin treatments, speed waxing, customized treatment protocols, skin analysis, ingredient technology, make-up techniques and prescriptive retailing.
• The Nail Academy – This program covers the science of foot and hand beauty, as well as business skills, trends and products.

Students also learn important business skills, including merchandising, marketing and ad display. Schools focus on creating a positive environment that feeds creativity.

Tuition and Length of Training

Programs vary, in light of differing state requirements. You will need to contact the Paul Mitchell School nearest you to learn more about the hours of training and tuition costs in your area.

School Locations

There are 10 Paul Mitchell schools in California and 50 Paul Mitchell schools in 25 other states across the country.

Regency Beauty Institute

Regency Beauty Institutes offer beautiful, leading-edge facilities. All of their schools have a consistent curriculum, small class sizes and experienced educators. A student incentive program rewards students for successes along the way as they develop skills in areas such as guest satisfaction, service volume and retailing. Regency prides itself on creating a dynamic learning environment that encourages personal and professional growth and well-being.

Regency Beauty School Course Offerings

Unlike most multilocation programs, Regency offers a single curriculum across all locations and simply adjusts the hours of training to meet the requirements for each state.

One comprehensive cosmetology program includes training in hair, skin and nail care. Students spend the first 320 hours completing classroom work and practicing on mannequins. Throughout the rest of the program, students rotate between "performance" in the school's hands-on clinic and continued classroom “rehearsal” and training.

Tuition and Length of Training

Hours of training vary by state and range from 1,500 hours (nine to 10 months full-time) to 1800 hours (11 to 12 months full-time). For more information on tuition, contact a Regency Beauty School near you.

School Locations

Regency currently has almost 30 locations and is actively expanding. Programs are currently available in nine states – Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Related Articles:

• Which Spa or Beauty School is Right for You?
• Accreditation
• Paying for Massage & Beauty School
• How Do the Top Spa and Massage Schools Compare?

View all our Spa and Beauty Articles to learn more about the Spa, Massage and Beauty Industry.

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Looking for Beauty Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools which offer program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.