When you think of Washington, D.C., you probably envision a few different things: the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and other important political monuments. However, Washington, D.C. has even more to offer! If you’re in search of beauty or cosmetology schools in the area, you’ll be glad to hear that there are several great options to choose from. Below, check out each of Washington, D.C.’s best cosmetology schools, along with overviews, advantages, career prospects, and the average cost of tuition.
Dudley Beauty College
Overview
Dudley Beauty College’s mission is to “develop professional cosmetologists, manicurists and managers for the twenty-first century.” The college understands the necessity of providing quality training to all of its students.
The school’s major goals are to provide each student with a superior and extraordinary level of education, to prepare students to successfully pass the State Board examination with confidence, to assist students with career placement, and to aid in developing the students’ entrepreneurial skills.
Advantages
Dudley Beauty College’s cosmetology course is designed to prepare students for the state licensing examination and to obtain suitable employment upon graduation. Students will be instructed in both theory and practical application, and the course is divided into beginner and advanced levels.
Career Prospects
Upon course completion, students will be prepared to enter the field of cosmetology.
Graham Webb Academy
Overview
Graham Webb Academy uses only approved training aids and teaching techniques. The school also invests in high-quality supplies and equipment. Most importantly, the academy is proud of its reputation as a student-oriented academically rigorous academy. The school aims to train and mentor professional, world-class caliber cosmetologists and estheticians.
The academy has a team of professionals with various backgrounds; each instructor brings with them a lot of passion for the industry. The staff is composed of well-respected professionals who have been trained to exact standards.
Advantages
The cosmetology program at Graham Webb Academy is available both during the day and in the evening to accommodate students’ schedules. This program provides a solid foundation for students to thrive as confident and competent hairstylists, and it includes both theory and practical application instruction.
Students are trained on a variety of subjects in the cosmetology program. These include networking skills, fashion influences, developing a creative eye, professional ethics, and hair design.
Career Prospects
The school keeps an updated list of available job openings in the area for graduates to peruse.
Bennett Career Institute
Overview
The Bennett Career Institute is a family-owned business that was founded in 1996. The institute develops fully-qualified cosmetologists, barbers, instructors, managers, and makeup artists. According to the school itself, “BCI successfully guides and directs its students through the various phases of their chosen curriculum so that they will be fully prepared to pass the State Board Examination of their choice and become professionals in their fields of study.”
The facility is a well-maintained, air-conditioned building with over 28,000 square feet. Several spacious classrooms, lockers and locker rooms, and an elegant senior cosmetology and barber styling clinic comprise the facility.
Advantages
The general cosmetology course at the Bennett Career Institute includes instruction on a variety of topics, including sanitation and sterilization, hair cutting, hair coloring, perms, hair styling, manicures, pedicures, and facials.
Career Prospects
The school explains that “Once the student has completed the program and passed the DC State Board of Cosmetology examination for licensure he/she will be qualified to obtain employment as a Cosmetologist, Hairstylist/Hairdresser, Manager Stylist, or Nail Technician. Individuals who obtain a license can provide a variety of beauty services such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, styling hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal as well as provide nail and skin care services.”
Esthetic Institute
Overview
The Esthetic Institute, founded in 1992, is a private licensed and certified beauty school that tracks its performance statistics with respect to completion, licensure, and placement. The state-of-the-art facility houses 9000 square feet comprised of distinct work areas, which are used for classroom theory, hands-on demonstrations, and studio clinics.
Advantages
Modern teaching aids and supportive audio-visual equipment designed to encourage students who learn visually are included in the classroom theory areas. Students use professional, salon-grade products during the course of their study. The Esthetic Institute partners with Dermalogica, IMAGE, and Lira as well as their own skin care line.
The Esthetic Institute has a very high pass rate for the state board exam at 98%. This highly successful pass rate is due to the school’s commitment to grooming its students for success.
Career Prospects
As the school says itself, “Graduates find that with an Esthetic Institute diploma and our ongoing Job Placement assistance, a world of opportunity awaits them.” The school has long-standing relationships with the community and has access to a wealth of job opportunities for graduates. Job openings are posted on a Job Placement Board, and local employers are encouraged to get in touch with graduates.
Aveda Institute
Overview
The Aveda Institute of Washington, D.C. has much to be proud of: its exclusive curriculum, its exceptional instructors, and its successful and sustainable network of salon professionals in the industry are just a few examples. As a school, Aveda strives to build up its students as both individuals and professionals.
For students and staff alike, an important goal is to continue cultivating one’s own unique talents while mastering technical skills in the cosmetology course. In addition, the Aveda Institute has a love for charity and has raised over $1 million while giving back to the community.
Advantages
The institute’s location provides students with a trendy neighborhood and diverse clientele. While still attending school, students will experience the typical salon environment and earn valuable hands-on experience in the industry.
A diverse range of career paths are available to students and graduates due to Aveda’s impressive network. Students that prefer the salon environment will gain extra hands-on experience in that industry, while if other students particularly enjoyed fashion, they could work on runway shows.
Career Prospects
Students can rely on Aveda’s wide network in the industry along with their hours of hands-on experience in the student salon to help them find great employment opportunities.
Average Cost
The total cost of tuition for the cosmetology program at the Aveda Institute is $25,375.
Flair Beauty Institute
Overview
The Flair Beauty Institute was established in 1997 as a family business. The school has always valued personal development, which prompted it to pursue unique opportunities when it comes to cosmetology training, such as combining geriatric certification with cosmetology.
Advantages
At Flair Beauty Institute, highly qualified staff teaches a solid foundation in both technical training and practical skills. The instructors’ objective is to successfully guide and direct students through the various phases of their chosen curriculum so that they will be fully prepared to pass the corresponding State Board Examination.
Career Prospects
The school aims to help students gain profitable employment in their field of study. Instructors are determined to equip students by developing fully-qualified cosmetologists, barbers, instructors, managers, manicurists, and makeup artists.