If you’re in search of the top cosmetology schools in New Jersey, you’re in the right place! Below we’ve handpicked the top ten beauty schools in the state and provided you with overviews, advantages, career prospects, and the average cost of tuition for each school.
The Salon Professional Academy
Overview
As The Salon Professional Academy says, “We know that a career in cosmetology is not just about a haircut or passing the state board exam; it’s about innovation in hair color and techniques, basic skin and nail care, knowledge of business strategies, and training in guest services.” The school’s Redken-infused cosmetology program not only prepares students for the state board exam, but also for a long-term career in the industry.
Advantages
Students will receive hands-on training with innovative and advanced cutting and coloring techniques as well as practice and fine-tune their skills in a premium salon environment using professional products.
Instructors also teach business and marketing skills so students can grow their personal brands and increase their earning potential. Modern technology is utilized for both learning and guest relations, including the integration of mobile devices and social media for the modern salon pro. Students also have the opportunity to take an advanced skin class at the Dermalogica Institute in New York City.
Career Prospects
The Salon Professional Academy continually trains and supports the educators who instruct students in the skills they need for a successful and rewarding career. The beautiful, innovative academy location provides a positive, real-world learning environment that prepares students for professional life.
The academy also develops students’ abilities to grow clientele and bookings, increase retail sales, and build lasting guest relationships. These are the abilities that put graduates in high demand with top salons.
Privately-held salons and spas, where incomes are highest, are a target for graduate job placement. Area salon and spa owners serve on the school’s advisory boards and recruit from the school.
PB Cosmetology School
Overview
PB Cosmetology School, a family-run business, was founded in 1960 and is in its third generation. The school uses the Pivot Point Network, which is known internationally as the finest in quality cosmetology training and even nicknamed the “Harvard” of beauty schools. Each student is allowed to approach their life’s work as an artist and are trained to create rather than imitate.
Advantages
Guest artists and field trips are added to enhance the curriculum. Students are encouraged to travel with the school to the International Beauty Show in New York City each year; this is the largest trade show for the beauty industry that is offered close to campus. Guest artists, as mentioned previously, are invited to present their expertise in a particular subject area throughout the course.
When it comes to curriculum, students spend their junior phase in a classroom setting learning theory and practical instruction on a mannequin. The class size is limited to 25 students per class. During the students’ senior phase, they transition to the student salon and are permitted to work on the general public under supervision.
Career Prospects
The senior phase of training also includes special preparation for the State Board Exam as well as job search techniques, including building an online portfolio. The school has a Job Placement Coordinator that can provide further assistance to students that need help starting their career.
Average Cost
The average cost of tuition for the cosmetology program at PB Cosmetology School is $17,000.
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools
Overview
The Robert Fiance Beauty School is licensed, accredited, and approved. The school takes its position as New Jersey’s leading beauty school seriously and understands the importance of attending a recognized, reputable school. The staff at Robert Fiance Beauty School is committed to upholding its standards of excellence and to providing students with a high-quality education and learning experience.
Advantages
The Robert Fiance Beauty School is the first in its class in many ways. It is New Jersey’s largest name, with 5 different beauty school campus as well as a makeup academy. The school takes pride in being the leading school and strives to maintain its strong position by staying at the forefront of the industry and being the first to introduce new products and services.
Robert Fiance was the first makeup academy in New Jersey offering students the opportunity to get certified in advanced makeup for fashion and film. It was also the first beauty school in New Jersey to launch the new 900 hour Barber program. Finally, Robert Fiance Beauty School is the first and only cosmetology school to feature its trademarked Makeup Bars, where master makeup artists give complimentary demonstrations which are broadcasted live on the internet and to the public.
Career Prospects
The school offers job placement assistance and guarantees to provide students with the skills and resources needed to find a job during or after school. Many salon owners and industry employers reach out to the school first for job placement; the school has an outstanding relationship with national chain salons as well as local, privately-owned salons.
At least 4 times per year, each beauty school campus holds a career fair for students and graduates. These fairs welcome dozens of salons, spas, barber shops, makeup stores, and other employers. In addition, dedicated job placement coordinators help students with resume writing, interview arrangements, networking, and other needs to help students find and secure jobs.
Shore Beauty School
Overview
Shore Beauty School has educated countless beauty professionals over the last 35 years. The school uses premier products from brands like Redken, OPI, and Dermalogica. Well-trained, licensed instructors guide students step-by-step. Day and nighttime programs help to meet student scheduling needs. Students will receive a wealth of hands-on experience working on live patrons in Shore Beauty School’s beautiful, high-end salon clinic.
Advantages
According to Shore Beauty School, “Creative industries require creative educational programs.” As a result of this belief, the school sponsors Redken, OPI, Dermalogica, OFRA Cosmetics, and Mizani products as well as education that jumpstarts beauty careers.
Themed styling competitions testing students’ skills and creativity take place as part of the cosmetology curriculum. Off-campus educational activities add to the wealth of knowledge students gain throughout the program. Mentoring programs with local stylists give students the opportunity for more hands-on, real-life experience.
Clinic Honors Certificates reward student entrepreneurship in the clinic, emphasizing the characteristics that will be important in professional life. Finally, Runway Hair Shows showcase student talent and creativity to prospective clients and employers while raising money for charity.
Career Prospects
The mission of Shore Beauty School is to provide its students with a high-quality education based upon relevant instructional and beauty techniques and practical business skills. The staff’s goal is to prepare its students for professional licensing and fulfilling careers in cosmetology and hairstyling or related disciplines in the beauty industry.
Artistic Academy of Hair Design
Overview
According to the Artistic Academy of Hair Design, “We are dedicated to providing an opportunity to pursue a career in the Art and Sciences of Cosmetology. It is our desire to lay a foundation in both theory and practice that will prepare our students for an exciting journey leading to high self-esteem and a quality lifestyle. We strive to exceed not only what is expected from us, but also what we expect of ourselves.”
The objective of the academy is to prepare and educate the individual to be qualified to enter the many fields of cosmetology and esthetics. The Artistic Academy of Hair Design maintains programs that are constantly updated to ensure its students are prepared to successfully enter the professional beauty industry.
Advantages
The Artistic Academy of Hair Design is housed in a 14,655 square foot facility. This provides a pleasant and spacious atmosphere conducive to the art of learning. Equipment in the classrooms and student salon and spa clinic offer students a professional environment that models an industry setting.
All students receive professional equipment in their student kits which include tools and textbooks to facilitate the learning process. Students of the Artistic Academy of Hair Design are not only trained in the required State Board curriculum, but also have the advantage of advanced education classes on a variety of topics. These include hair coloring, haircutting, advanced esthetics, product knowledge, and cosmetic application.
Career Prospects
Last year, the Artistic Academy of Hair Design placed over 91% of its graduating class! The academy is committed to assisting qualified students as well as interesting graduates in obtaining a permanent position by providing them with leads to known available employment positions. All available job opportunities are posted in the reception area of the school, student lounge, and the school’s Facebook page. In addition, all students will receive employment counseling prior to graduation.
New Concept Beauty School
Overview
The New Concept Beauty School, run in Spanish, has made a commitment to the permanent search of academic excellence in many areas of beauty. These areas include massage, makeup, hairdressing, esthetics, and nail technology.
New Concept Beauty School’s educational programs are the best when it comes to institutionality. As a result of continued dedication and innovation over 20 years, the school has positioned itself as one of the best beauty schools in the state of New Jersey.
Advantages
The school’s mission is to be a body of knowledge to the highest level of excellence within the industry of cosmetology so that its distinctive competencies, resources, and values benefit all who are a part of the organization.
New Concept Beauty School’s vision is to become a business group that integrates beauty, esthetics, personal image care, knowledge, current events, promotional activities, scientific dissemination, health, the creation of new businesses, jobs, and contribution to cultural development and the economy of the country.
Career Prospects
The school’s philosophy is to train students with high standards of excellence, not only to obtain their respective licenses but also to acquire the knowledge, skills, and practices required to succeed in the industry. Students can exercise their knowledge as a high-level professional or even create their own personal beauty-related businesses. New Concept Beauty School encourages the entrepreneurial culture and explains that it brings more to the industry as well as generates wealth and jobs.
Jolie Academy
Overview
As the school says, “Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive education in the cosmetology field so that you’re well prepared to pass the state board exam and begin your career as a professional cosmetologist.” Students will develop professional skills in haircutting and styling, hair coloring, permanent waving, makeup application, and manicuring and pedicuring. Learning will be facilitated through a combination of classroom and hands-on coursework.
Advantages
Jolie Academy’s focus on hands-on learning means that students will have many opportunities to hone their skills and develop their artistic expression before graduation. This gives students the best possible start to a fun and exciting career in the expanding cosmetology industry.
Career Prospects
Jolie Academy takes pride in offering its students the opportunity to succeed. The school offers a number of career services, including interview preparation, resume writing, and job placement assistance. Students and alumni alike are encouraged to utilize Jolie’s staff of career professionals who are dedicated to helping them find professional and personal success.
Total Image Beauty Academy
Overview
The Total Image Beauty Academy is an educational institution dedicated to assisting individuals in obtaining a successful career in cosmetology arts and sciences. Total Image’s teachers recognize the need for graduates to be properly trained and prepared for the professional marketplace.
The school’s instructional programs combine classroom theory with tasks in all the standard areas of the trade. The method of instruction is designed to give students a thorough knowledge of the trade through hands-on experience. Students are prepared for the real world.
Advantages
Cosmetology and manicure classes are available in both English and Spanish to cater to as many students as possible. Classes begin each month, so prospective students need not worry about waiting for months before starting cosmetology school.
The curriculum begins with lecture, demonstrations, practice on mannequins, and evaluations. After successfully completing this portion of the program, students advance to the senior class and are permitted to practice on clients.
The remainder of the curriculum is composed of practical work, additional advancement lectures, class projects, complete subject reviews, and salon management techniques. Students will practice manicures, pedicures, skin care, barbering, depilatory services, and makeup application as well as all of the facets of hair cutting and styling.
Career Prospects
The educational objective of the cosmetology curriculum is to provide students with training sufficient to pass the State Board exam, to become properly licensed, and to perform all duties required under such license to secure employment at the entry level.
Average Cost
The average cost of tuition for the cosmetology program at Total Image Beauty Academy is $14,000.
The Pro Beauty Academy
Overview
The Pro Beauty Academy’s mission is to provide an opportunity to achieve quality education for a group of learners who have the ability to benefit from the various courses offered. These courses are meant to fulfill student ambitions and are intensive, professional beauty courses.
Students can expect to enjoy new career opportunities in the health, holistic, and beauty industries. The school’s flexible and modern teaching methods are designed to keep up with the rapidly changing world of health and beauty.
The Pro Beauty Academy Tutors create and maintain a carefully curated learning environment. This environment is positive, enjoyable, interesting, challenging, orderly, purposeful, safe, and supportive. It also encourages cooperative learning and enhances each student’s psychological, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Teachers are hand-picked to ensure student receive the best education possible.
Advantages
The Pro Beauty Academy offers more than just the basics; the staff prepares students to be fully professional by the completion of the course. As the school says, “A professional cosmetologist is always in demand. We bring you beyond the basic hairstyle into a world that has endless trendsetting potential.”
Students will learn and understand the “behind the scenes” techniques that professional cosmetologists use to make their craft look easy and also to become highly profitable. The Pro Beauty Academy is a Wella Professionals Premiere School, which means that the school’s students and staff are trained by qualified Wella professionals on campus frequently throughout the year.
In addition, the majority of The Pro Beauty Academy’s retail, chemical, and professional products are from Wella. Highly skilled and licensed instructors are available on a daily basis to guide students every step of the way.
Career Prospects
The Pro Beauty Academy’s programs were designed with students’ career goals in mind. As a result, the academy provides small class sizes so students can receive the personal guidance they need throughout their training. Students also gain a wealth of hands-on experience so they can begin their new careers with confidence.
Roman Academy of Beauty Culture
Overview
The mission of the Roman Academy of Beauty Culture is to provide a comfortable atmosphere in which students may obtain quality technical and academic cosmetology and skin care training.
Advantages
At the Roman Academy of Beauty Culture, each student is provided with the tools and instruction necessary to understand and master State Board requirements and to pass the state licensure exam.
The staff and professors aim to convey the most up-to-date professional techniques to achieve success in the industry.
Career Prospects
The staff of the Roman Academy of Beauty Culture actively works to place graduates in jobs that allow for continued growth. Students are assisted in learning effective communication skills to help build a clientele.