If you’re an aspiring cosmetologist in the Houston area, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve tracked down the ten best cosmetology schools in Houston and have even written full reviews for each of them. Read on for overviews, advantages of each school, career prospects, and average tuition cost.
Paul Mitchell The School
Overview
At Paul Mitchell the School, students are called Future Professionals. They are prepared for successful careers in the beauty industry as licensed cosmetologists. The school has a three-level cosmetology program, which breaks down into CORE, ADAPTIVE, and CREATIVE. CORE is an introductory course that lays the foundation for cosmetology, and ADAPTIVE introduces students to hands-on learning in the salon. In the final level, CREATIVE, the goal is to get students salon-ready.
Each student is completely ready for exams and for life in the professional world due to these three levels. Through the system, students are also able to reach their own personal goals.
Advantages
An intensive study program called PHASE TWO challenges willing students to their highest performance level. This program consists of advanced cosmetology training along with conditions that mimic salon reality. Students who go through this program are truly prepared for the future.
When they begin classes, students receive a kit of cosmetology essentials and an iPad. These essentials serve them well when they move into hands-on training.
Career Prospects
The three-level cosmetology program and additional PHASE TWO program prepare students for professional life. Many alumni of Paul Mitchell the School have had successful careers as makeup artists and hair stylists; it only makes sense that current students and graduates will follow suit.
Average Cost
The cost for the cosmetology program is $18,925 with an added $3000 for supplies.
Top Beauty College
Overview
The Top Beauty College offers courses that include cosmetology operator, esthetician, manicurist, instructor, and several combination courses. Varied activities provide a fun and educational environment for students. Teachers and students act as a team to develop students into professional cosmetologists.
Advantages
The variety of courses allows students to choose the areas in which they wish to excel and find success. A positive learning environment, dedicated teachers, years of skill and knowledge, and the prospect of having a successful future make this school a very viable option.
Career Prospects
According to Top Beauty College, “Our graduate success rate is above 90% with all finding a career within the first year after graduation.”
Houston Training School
Overview
Tough work, discipline, dedication, and determination are all necessary to excel at the Houston Training School. The school is bilingual, which opens it up to even more prospective students.
Advantages
Students report that teachers care about each individual’s success. They also said that they learned new techniques every day, adding to their knowledge base continuously. Opportunities to work with a variety of methods and ideas abound.
Career Prospects
Students are fully prepared to ensure success in their chosen career field.
Average Cost
$11,700 is the total tuition for the cosmetology program.
Northwest Beauty School
Overview
The school’s mission is to prepare students with a solid foundation in a stable learning environment without discrimination. Northwest Beauty School also instills professionalism and provides up to date information. This gives students the opportunity to step forward for a career in cosmetology or another related field.
Advantages
Students provide real-life clients with services such as hair cutting, hair extensions, coloring and highlighting, waxing, facials, manicures, and makeup application. This real-world experience is a step up for students in the professional world.
Career Prospects
The school reports that their #1 priority is preparing its students for a successful career. Networking while working in the student salon is a great way to start a career as well.
Champion Beauty College
Overview
Champion Beauty College uses the latest training methods and techniques possible to train students to be prepared for today’s market. The cosmetology field currently has a shortage of hairdressers and skin therapists. This means that graduates have an even higher chance of success in finding a job.
The school’s mission is to create a nurturing environment that promote individuality in the world of art, wellness, fashion, and beauty while also fostering an appreciation for lifelong learning.
Champion Beauty College’s fundamental purpose is to provide specialized vocational training that leads to rewarding careers in the beauty industry. The college intends to prepare students with competitive skills that will make them stand out in today’s job market.
Advantages
Flexible hours to fit students’ busy schedules are one advantage to attending Champion Beauty College. The school is accredited, which means that graduates’ resumes look even better.
Guest speakers are common; the college often invites stylists, cosmetologists, and industry professionals to share experience and product knowledge with students. Champion Beauty College is dedicated to providing students with an in-depth study of cosmetology arts, along with a complete education in career practice and professionalism.
Career Prospects
Business skills are a huge part of the curriculum at Champion Beauty College. Because of this, its graduates are a step ahead of the rest when it comes to searching for employment. In addition, students train and work on guests in a real-world salon, giving them a chance to network and build up clientele. Job placement assistance is available as well.
Modern Makeup Society
Overview
Modern Makeup Society’s Global MUA course is designed to prepare aspiring makeup artists to compete globally in professional makeup artistry as well as freelance business. Students will leave this program a professional. This program includes all aspects of makeup artistry and freelance business.
The program begins with three weeks of practical training in which students learn advanced makeup techniques and work to improve their time and precision. They also learn about working with different skin tones and face shapes. During this time, students also gain knowledge about freelance business and professional employment.
Advantages
During the fourth week of the program, student shoot their professional portfolio. This portfolio does not just consist of beauty headshots of students’ work; it is a complete professional portfolio that companies and clients will love. Students are also taught how to present their work, which is an important skill to have for job interviews. Along with the professional portfolio and knowledge of presentation comes increased earning power for students.
Putting together a portfolio doesn’t simply entail taking pictures of a student’s work. Instead it is a more complex process involving teamwork, experience, skill, timed application, ability to follow direction, creative thinking, and ambition. All of these attributes will prove valuable in the professional world.
Career Prospects
One of Modern Makeup Society’s signature components is its dedication to the future of its students. The staff is constantly thinking about what students will be doing post-graduation. The portfolio students complete during their fourth week of the program will give them a head start when it comes to job seeking.
Average Cost
The four-week global makeup artist course costs $1200.
Victoria Cosmetology School
Overview
Victoria Cosmetology School offers programs for cosmetology, esthetician, manicurist, and instructor licenses. A student-run salon provides services to the public. Professional instructors with many years of experience provide a great education to students.
Advantages
The school is bilingual, so another range of students is able to take cosmetology courses and become successful professionals in the beauty world. Although Victoria Cosmetology School doesn’t currently offer financial aid, flexible financial plans are provided for students.
Career Prospects
Students often work in a salon environment under the supervision of licensed instructors. As they work with the public, they are able to network and build up a clientele which will aid them in their future professional endeavors.
B1 Careers Beauty School
Overview
B1 Careers Beauty School is a newer school founded in 2007. It is privately owned and services the greater Houston area. Teaching and learning is this school’s passion. The faculty is dedicated to guiding students as they develop and grow. They also focus on putting students on a successful path for life.
The school strives to provide students with a quality education that prepares each student with the necessary confidence, creativeness, practical skills, technical skills, and knowledge needed to pass the state license exam and, perhaps even more importantly, to enjoy a lifetime of success.
Advantages
Courses are offered in both English and Spanish, giving more students a chance to learn about cosmetology. Educational textbooks and a cosmetology kit give students the building blocks they need to grow as cosmetologists.
Career Prospects
As B1 Careers Beauty School says, “Careers in the beauty industry never go out of style and are always in high demand. [There are] endless career opportunities for professionals in the beauty industry and how this field is growing faster than average.”
Some of the rewarding career paths mentioned include becoming a professional stylist, owning a beauty salon, becoming a makeup artist, becoming a beauty consultant, becoming a facialist, owning a spa, becoming a manicurist, owning a nail salon, and becoming a cosmetology teacher. Clearly cosmetology students are not limited when it comes to career choices.
360 Degrees Beauty Academy
Overview
Founded in 2004, the 360 Degrees Beauty Academy promises students that a creative career awaits them. The academy provides students with a compassionate, safe, and convenient environment to learn and grow.
When asked how it stands out from the rest, the academy stated that it truly cares about its students and gives personal attention to each individual, that it is comprised of integrity and honesty from top to bottom, that it does not compromise for materials that are less than the best, and that it has an affordable and fair price.
Advantages
Students are trained in the basic fundamentals in order to prepare them for the state licensing exam. Seven different programs are offered, so cosmetology students aren’t limited to one area of study. Students are trained according to the belief that professional services make a world of difference to clients.
Students learn more than the technical and creative skills at 360 Degrees Beauty Academy. They also receive comprehensive training in business, technical skills, and personal development.
Career Prospects
As the school points out, cosmetology is a multi-million dollar business that continues to grow; this business is full of energy and excitement. Career benefits in the cosmetology industry include financial stability, satisfaction, mobility, travel, independence, flexibility, prestige, and versatility.
Ogle School of Hair, Skin, and Nails
Overview
Balancing beauty with business, Ogle School of Hair, Skin, and Nails has won the Excellence in Education award 8 times. It also has outstanding student outcomes, like 83% graduate employment and 99% licensure for students.
Dedicated to the cosmetology training industry since 1973, the school has decades of experience in transforming students into professional cosmetologists. Instructors are dedicated to guiding students toward their fullest potential with a caring, sincere approach.
Advantages
The Ogle staff has personally curated an outstanding curriculum with ongoing processes to stay at the cutting edge of the industry. Students receive real-world experience as they take Ogle’s courses: they work in a student-powered salon. In the salon, students learn to provide excellent customer service, build clientele, retail products and add-on services, and perform skills on clients. These are all critical components of professionals in the beauty industry.
Day and evening programs are offered to accommodate each student’s schedule. The skilled and committed educators are provided with ongoing training so students never fall behind on the latest trends.
Professional products are used in the student-driven salon to give students a strong understanding of products and retailing. Student competitions, including a Face Off event, are a fun and exciting way to demonstrate skills learned throughout the course.
Career Prospects
The majority of faculty members have a wealth of real-world experience to share with students. Students will learn all the essentials in their chosen field, as well as how to apply this knowledge to make an immediate impact on their career.
Expert job placement and career assistance is available to all students. In addition, companies seek out Ogle graduates specifically due to the career success of past and present students.