Cosmetology is more than hair cutting and nail polishing. Students typically learn technical skills alongside client service, retail, and business skills that can help them prepare for work in the beauty industry.
Beauty trends also change rapidly. Cosmetology training can help students develop current techniques, creativity, and the ability to adapt their services to clients’ needs.
Below, we discuss several cosmetology schools with verified program information.
Top Cosmetology Schools in the World
1. Aveda Training Institute
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Aveda Institute’s cosmetology training combines hair cutting, color, texture services, nail care, makeup application, business development, retail knowledge, and strategies for gaining and retaining clients. The program is designed to combine technical training with business preparation.
Aveda Institute lists career paths such as salon stylist, salon owner or manager, color specialist, makeup artist, fashion show stylist, blogger or influencer, and manufacturer or product inventor. Because Aveda Institutes are independently owned and operated, applicants should check the relevant institute’s website for its current program details.
2. Empire Beauty School
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Empire Beauty School’s cosmetology program covers hair design, hair cutting, color and texture, basic skin care, nail services, and esthetic skin care procedures. It also includes marketing and communication skills to help students attract salon clients and build their businesses.
Students practice in a student salon environment and learn how to understand client preferences, execute current styles, and work with different hair types and products.
3. Pivot Point Academy
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Pivot Point Academy’s 1,500-hour cosmetology program is designed for completion in 12 months. Its full-time day schedule runs Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The program has four phases: foundations; hands-on practice in the student salon and spa; advanced work in areas such as nail care, skin care, makeup, and salon business; and final testing and preparation for the Illinois state licensure exam.
4. Tricoci University
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Tricoci University offers beauty programs including cosmetology, esthetics, barbering, and nail technology. Its cosmetology curriculum includes classroom learning, hands-on instruction with mannequins, and experience serving guests in an on-campus student-run salon.
The cosmetology curriculum includes hair styling and chemical hair treatments, shop management, sanitation, communication, basic esthetics, and basic nail technology. Tricoci University states that the cosmetology program includes more than 1,500 hours of training.
5. The Ogle School
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Ogle School’s cosmetology curriculum covers hair, skin, nails, business skills, and professional development. Its Houston-area program page describes hands-on training in a salon-modeled setting and business training that includes salon management.
For the Houston-area program, Ogle School lists weekday-only schedules: the full-time option can be completed in as little as seven months, while the part-time option takes approximately 13 months. Schedule availability may vary by campus.
6. Xenon Academy
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Xenon Academy’s cosmetology program covers current and classic hair and makeup looks, with practice in a student salon and spa. The curriculum also includes hair care, coloring, hair design, chemical services, facials, makeup, hair removal, manicures, pedicures, infection-control practices, and anatomy and chemistry.
The program also covers career preparation, salon success, professional ethics, client service, management, and salesmanship. Xenon Academy states that its cosmetology program is a state-mandated 1,800 hours and can be completed in as little as one year, depending on the schedule.
7. Hollywood Institute of Beauty
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Program Offered: Cosmetology training
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers’ cosmetology program includes hair cutting, coloring, styling, texture services, scalp care, nail technology, skin care, waxing, makeup, rebooking, and retail sales. The school lists a 1,200-hour program and says students train first on mannequins and then with live clients at the HI Salon & Spa.
The school lists career paths such as special-events or wedding makeup artist and film, television, or theater hair and makeup artist. It also says students receive professional kits, including Nouveau Nails and Dermalogica kits, along with tools such as a blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron, clippers, scissors, and mannequins.
FAQs about Studying Cosmetology
Which Countries Are the Best in Cosmetology?
The best country for studying cosmetology depends on your career goals, budget, preferred specialization, and the licensing rules where you plan to work. The schools in this guide are based in the United States. Before applying abroad, compare the official program curriculum, completion credential, licensing pathway, tuition, and student visa requirements for your chosen school and destination.
How Much Do Cosmetology Jobs Pay?
Pay varies by occupation, location, experience, work schedule, and whether a worker is self-employed. In the United States, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly wage in May 2024 was $16.95 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists and $18.73 for barbers. The wage data include tips. In the United Kingdom, the National Careers Service lists typical annual pay of £19,000 to £30,000 for hairdressers and barbers and £23,000 to £29,000 for beauty therapists, while makeup artist pay is variable.
The field of cosmetology is more complex than it may first appear. To prepare for work in this industry, students can develop technical skills, learn the business side of beauty, and practice adapting to changing trends and client needs. The cosmetology schools mentioned above offer different approaches to training. Check each school’s official program page for current details, and explore these countries to study Cosmetology as you plan your next steps.
We hope this article on cosmetology schools was helpful. Check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.
