Looking for the best cosmetology schools in Minnesota? Here we’ve hand-picked the top ten, along with their overviews, advantages, career prospects, and average costs.
Minnesota School of Cosmetology
Overview
The Minnesota School of Cosmetology’s goal is to successfully prepare its students for a career in the cosmetology arts and sciences. Instructors experienced in the industry provide hands-on training in a variety of areas, including basic and advanced hair, nail, and skin techniques. This learning takes place in an engaging, warm, and professional salon-like setting.
The school believes that cosmetology is both an art and a science fueled by a desire to help others as well as passion. The Minnesota School of Cosmetology is dedicated to helping its students develop a solid foundation and a flair for style through training in industry techniques.
Advantages
Four different scheduling options are offered for students: a full-time program, a full-time flex program, a three-quarter time program, and a half-time program. This allows students to attend school, work, and spend time with family and friends.
The Apple iPad Air has been incorporated into the curriculum at the Minnesota School of Cosmetology. Students utilize a variety of apps and are able to take charge of their education. Using this technology helps students make the most of every minute while learning in a fun, engaging, and environmentally-friendly way.
Career Prospects
The school’s employment rate is 78.2%. Many of the school’s graduates find a specialty within the salon industry, while others become self-employed. A few even follow a business track, working as a sales representative for product lines or owning or managing a salon.
Average Cost
The average cost for the cosmetology program at the Minnesota School of Cosmetology is $20,200.
Minnesota School of Beauty
Overview
The Minnesota School of Beauty promises that graduates will leave the school with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in a career in the beauty industry. The school contains a state-of-the-art salon and spa that uses natural lighting from full-sized windows that run the length of the front of the school.
The atmosphere at the Minnesota School of Beauty is of the utmost importance. The staff strives to provide an environment where the students enjoy camaraderie and an interactive setup where everyone belongs. This positive environment makes learning easy.
Advantages
Students learn from industry leaders and achieve salon-ready skills as well as personal and professional development. They also receive the technical training necessary to secure a job before graduation. Additional attributes include a break room, a beauty resource center, and many other areas for students to excel at learning.
Career Prospects
A program called Face 4 Your Future is used to aid students in developing the life skills they need to become a responsible citizen and create a pathway to success. This unique program is a non-profit dedication to personal success. It provides knowledge in order to build awareness, abilities, and interests to help students become knowledgeable and empowered. Additionally, it provides a system of transitional curriculum review to ensure appropriate and current programs for the students’ future.
Empire Beauty School
Overview
With 80 years of experience in beauty education, the Empire Beauty School has had plenty of time to compile a rare combination of advantages to advance its students’ careers. These advantages include interactive and fun classes taught by trained and licensed beauty educators.
A unique CLIC program employs textbooks, mannequins, and special tools. The school is accredited, and financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Empire’s cosmetology program covers a wide variety of topics and is extremely comprehensive. A few of the areas covered in the curriculum include makeup, business and retail training, basic skin care, color and texture, hair cutting, and hair design. Students are prepared for a variety of areas of work as a result of this versatile program.
Advantages
Even before they graduate, students have the ability to build their business through positive word of mouth. As communication and marketing skills are developed, they further aid students in attracting loyal salon clients.
Students have the opportunity to participate in local events benefiting the community, and this also contributes to real-life training. In addition, the student salon allows students to both work and network with real clients. Staff helps students prepare for board exams as well.
Career Prospects
Empire Beauty School supports and aids graduates in job searching both before and after graduation. Students are also able to network and build up a clientele as they work in the student salon.
Hastings Beauty School
Overview
Students of the Hastings Beauty School receive classes in theory, giving them a basic scientific knowledge of various subjects. These include chemistry, anatomy, physiology, hair cutting, hair styling, permanent waving, hair coloring, manicuring, facials, pin curling, roller placement, and salon management. In addition, practical classes take place prior to clinic floor training. The cosmetology course is designed with the individual in mind, keeping up with the current trends in the field.
Advantages
Hastings has the professional equipment a student needs in order to complete the cosmetology course. This equipment includes good lighting, hydraulic chairs, central air, separate working stations, a student lunchroom, student lockers, a classroom area, and a dispensary.
Forty-hour refresher classes are offered as well. These are meant for cosmetologists who are currently working to keep their license up to date. An experienced and respected staff is committed to each student’s success.
Career Prospects
A job matching service is provided wherein local salons recruits Hastings graduates. Hastings goes on to say that cosmetologists work in pleasant surroundings in a salon, spa, hotel, or resort. Many manage salons or open their own shop after several years of experience.
Average Cost
The average cost for the cosmetology program at Hastings Beauty School is $16,620.
PCI Academy
Overview
With over 30 years of experience, PCI Academy grows professionals in the cosmetology, esthetics, and massage therapy fields. According to the academy, “We are not a typical beauty school. In face, we are the future of beauty schools.”
Advantages
PCI Academy is an elite beauty school that has earned its reputation for excellence by providing its students with the tools and support to be successful in their chosen field. The staff is committed to helping its students become among the top 10% of earners in their region. This commitment is backed with proven strategies.
Career Prospects
The school is focused on graduating students ready to jump straight into salon jobs and begin producing in the top 10% of earners in their profession.
Model College of Hair Design
Overview
The Model College of Hair Design provides its students with the freedom to become the best cosmetologist through advanced skills and hands-on learning. An exceptional education puts “future professions” on a path for success. Students will leave the school completely educated.
The Model College of Hair Design partners with nine retail lines, giving students a competitive advantage in their advanced product line training. With over 60 years of educating, the school is able to provide students with the confidence, talent, and enthusiasm to be the best they can be.
Advantages
Styling for men, women, and children is in demand more than ever before. Today’s cosmetologists must possess a wide range of skills to meet the needs of a diverse clientele. The Model College help students gain these skills. Additionally, many channels for personal growth are available and limitless career paths abound.
The cosmetology curriculum incorporates several areas the school considers necessary to become an accomplished full service cosmetologist. These areas include upper body massage, personal grooming, sales techniques, personality development, customer relations, and the Minnesota state laws regarding cosmetology.
Senior students are able to attend one of the nation’s largest hair shows to view the newest styles and trends. Students get the chance to express their ideas and creativity through hair shows.
Career Prospects
The Model College of Hair Design has a work program called “Earn While You Learn.” Students are able to earn money while working for the college. This money can be used for personal expenses or credited toward tuition.
Students are prepared for success in the professional salon industry. The College Management computer system tracks each student’s hours, grades, and retail sales. Instructors aid students in setting goals and reviewing their progress.
Average Cost
The average cost at the Model College of Hair Design is $15,995.
Avalon School of Cosmetology
Overview
At the Avalon School of Cosmetology, classrooms and class sizes are small and provide each student with individual attention. This helps to shape Avalon’s students into the best stylists and practitioners in the country. Each student and his or her career are the top priority.
Advantages
Avalon knows there’s more to being a successful cosmetologist than simply having a wealth of knowledge. In fact, 85% of student success depends on business, personal, and marketing skills. Through the latest trends and techniques in the beauty industry, students are taught to unleash their creativity.
The school features nationally recognized salon and spa training in order to teach students how to manage a growing, profitable, and fulfilling business.
Career Prospects
Many of Avalon’s graduates find jobs in the beauty industry before or directly after graduation. These jobs are nearly limitless. They include becoming a hair stylist, makeup artist, manicurist, hair color specialist, haircutting specialist, beauty sales representative, salon manager or owner, beauty educator, or a beauty consultant.
The Avalon School of Cosmetology reports that they don’t simply teach students how to get a job. Students are also trained to start, own, and manage their own beauty-related business.
Average Cost
The total cost for the cosmetology program is $20,235.
Faces Etc of MN
Overview
Faces Etc of MN is the only licensed post-secondary career school approved by the state to teach multi-media makeup artistry. The school provides state-of-the-art makeup education, courses, and classes to students interested in working in the world of multi-media makeup. This applies to film, HDTV, print editorial, fashion, bridal, corporate, music videos, runway, new media, and SFX. The school is committed to assisting its artists in maximizing their individual creativity to reach their highest level of success as a professional makeup artist.
Advantages
Students at Faces Etc of MN gain an unparalleled education. Hands-on instruction and lecture ensure that the school’s students are its priority. Classrooms are run in a manner conducive to learning to make sure that students gain the most from the time they spend in school.
Faces Etc of MN is a licensed career school, so the staff’s focus is to get students out into the field working in the craft of their choice.
Instructors come from an educational background where managing the classroom, not simply teaching the curriculum, is an important facet of the learning process. Classrooms are limited to eight students so each artist is able to spend one-on-one time with instructors.
Career Prospects
Ongoing personal one-on-one classes and tutoring are available to give advice and assistance with resumes, business cards, portfolios, branding, marketing, new product training, relationship building, portfolio management, business guidance, websites, social media marketing, taxes, and more.
The school does its best to help artists pursue opportunities for work through its Artists Connections Job Board. This offers opportunities for alumni to work for credit or pay on many projects, films, shows, events, and more, allowing them to make connections in the industry.
CCU College
Overview
CCU College is a locally owned school that has a long history of providing quality education to students in the area. The school’s commitment to students, its strong relationships with local employers, and its unique partnerships give students a competitive advantage when seeking employment in the beauty industry.
The college is committed to providing quality and affordable education that will give students the perfect combination of technical, life, and business skills to enter the cosmetology industry. They will have the training and education necessary to have a long and rewarding career.
Advantages
One advantage to CCU College is local ownership. The school’s owners live in the community and even work on-site, so they’re always available. Additionally, many opportunities outside the classroom are available. A variety of hands-on events take place throughout the year, including the Heartland Beauty Expo, Holiday Parade, Grad & Prom Expo, Fall & Spring Fashion Shows, and more!
Career Prospects
CCU College has a commitment to each student’s success. Small classes, personalized attention, and a caring environment to learn the skills needed to start a beauty career are all provided. The school has been helping students get started in the cosmetology industry for over 50 years.
Average Cost
The average cost for the cosmetology program at CCU College is $16,500.
The Atelier Academy
Overview
The Atelier Academy is a cosmetology school unlike any other. The school is proud to offer a boutique beauty school experience that is thorough and career-focused as well as customized to each student. The school is small and therefore better prepared to enroll driven students and train an elite class of professionals who are prepared to rise to the top of their field.
Advantages
The Atelier Academy is original in many ways. One of these ways is vision. While many schools teach the bare minimum for licensure, the Atelier Academy breaks the industry mold with apprentice-style instruction that goes far beyond the basics. The school’s priority is education rather than tuition.
Atelier is also original in craft. Students are immersed in fashion and beauty culture, and instructors focus on today’s salon trends and follow the industry’s innovators. The school leaves old-fashioned instruction and dated techniques behind.
Finally, the school is original in education with its one-on-one classes. Each student receives a custom education based on their own learning style. The experienced staff can adjust their instruction according to each student’s goals, interests, and strengths.
Career Prospects
Industry-leading partners and instructors, as well as an unmatched student-to-teacher ratio, mean that Atelier is able to graduate cosmetologists that high-end salons recruit even before graduation.
Students in the Atelier Academy’s cosmetology program receive more attention, skills, and experience than their peers. Students are on the clinic floor taking multiple appointments a day with real-life clients. They are able to graduate and dominate state boards and launch careers in high-end salons.
Average Cost
The average cost of the cosmetology program at the Atelier Academy is $13,139 plus a kit fee.